Abstract: Among the compounds represented by the general formula (1), (in the formula, n is an integer of 7 to 13) in particular, 11-methyl-13-tridecanolide of which n=8, 12-methyl-14-tetradecanolide of which n=9, and 13-methyl-15-pentadecanolide of which n=10 are novel compounds which have not been reported in prior art and the evaluation of the compounds for fragrance characteristics revealed that the compounds are macrocyclic lactone musks having not only strong fragrance of musk excellent in persistency but also fragrance characteristics like nitro musks. Furthermore, in the present invention, by containing at least one of those novel compounds, perfume compositions or perfume products having distinctive fragrance characteristics are obtained. The invention also provides a novel process for the production of compounds represented by the general formula (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a flavoring composition having a better milk-like flavor and a process for producing the composition. The composition comprises a 5-alkenoic acid and/or a 6-alkenoic acid both represented by general formula (1) and a lower aliphatic aldehyde having not greater than 8 carbon atoms: wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 4, and the dashed line represents the presence of a carbon-carbon double bond at either side. The composition may further comprise a ?-lactone represented by general formula (2) and/or a ?-lactone represented by general formula (3): wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 4; and wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 4.

Abstract: The present invention provides an odorant suitable for use in fuel gases, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), city gas, and LP gas, or methane gas, propane gas, butane gas and hydrogen gas. Preferably, the present invention provides a novel odorant that can also be used for fuel gases for fuel cells, including hydrogen gas. The odorant for fuel gases of the present invention has a perceptual threshold of 1 ppb or less, and includes a compound that has no sulfur atoms and no nitrogen atoms in its molecules. The odorant for fuel gases of the present invention is suitable for use in fuel cells that use hydrogen gas or other gases as a fuel.

Abstract: A method of collection of the fragrance ingredient of fragrant wood comprises extracting an essential oil ingredient by a solvent from the fragrant wood and collecting the fragrance ingredient in a vapor-phase by heating the extract, a perfume composition contains the fragrance ingredient, and a cosmetic contains the fragrance ingredient. The fragrance ingredient is obtained without a burnt smell, and it has an aroma of the fragrant wood.

Abstract: Anticancer agents containing, as an active ingredient, at least one compound selected from the group consisting of &ohgr;-hydroxy fatty acids and salts or esters thereof, hydroxy oxo-fatty acids and salts or esters thereof, lactones, macrocyclic ketones, and macrocyclic diesters having specific chemical structures.

Abstract: In industrial production of &ohgr;-hydroxyaliphatic acid being an important intermediate for large cyclic lactone-based perfumes, using dicarboxylate ester which is inexpensive and readily obtainable, a method, with high yield and improved selectively, for making a 2-(&ohgr;-alkoxycarbonylalkanoyl)-4-butanolide and an alkaline metal salt thereof, an ester of &ohgr;-hydroxy-(&ohgr;-3)-ketoaliphatic acid as a novel compound and a derivative thereof, and a method for making the same are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing an epoxy compound industrially advantageously at low cost in a short process. Furthermore, this invention provides a novel fruity, camphoric, floral, amber or woody fragrance-, flavor- or scent-imparting composition containing said epoxy compound, and foods & drinks, perfumes, cosmetics and tobaccos containing said composition. The epoxy compound can be produced by letting an &agr;-halocyclododecanone and an organic magnesium compound react with each other for Grignard reaction, hydrolyzing to obtain a halohydrin and letting the halohydrin and a base react with each other in the presence of an phase transfer catalyst or adding an aprotic polar solvent for reaction.

Abstract: In industrial production of &ohgr;-hydroxyaliphatic acid being an important intermediate for large cyclic lactone-based perfumes, using dicarboxylate ester which is inexpensive and readily obtainable, a method, with high yield and improved selectively, for making a 2-(&ohgr;-alkoxycarbonylalkanoyl)-4-butanolide and an alkaline metal salt thereof, an ester of &ohgr;-hydroxy-(&ohgr;-3)-ketoaliphatic acid as a novel compound and a derivative thereof, and a method for making the same are provided.

Abstract: In industrial production of &ohgr;-hydroxyaliphatic acid being an important intermediate for large cyclic lactone-based perfumes, using dicarboxylate ester which is inexpensive and readily obtainable, a method, with high yield and improved selectively, for making a 2-(&ohgr;-alkoxycarbonylalkanoyl)-4-butanolide and an alkaline metal salt thereof, an ester of &ohgr;-hydroxy-(&ohgr;-3)-ketoaliphatic acid as a novel compound and a derivative thereof, and a method for making the same are provided.

Abstract: In industrial production of &ohgr;-hydroxyaliphatic acid being an important intermediate for large cyclic lactone-based perfumes, using dicarboxylate ester which is inexpensive and readily obtainable, a method, with high yield and improved selectively, for making a 2-(&ohgr;-alkoxycarbonylalkanoyl)-4-butanolide and an alkaline metal salt thereof, an ester of &ohgr;-hydroxy-(&ohgr;-3)-ketoaliphatic acid as a novel compound and a derivative thereof, and a method for making the same are provided.

Abstract: In industrial production of &ohgr;-hydroxyaliphatic acid being an important intermediate for large cyclic lactone-based perfumes, using dicarboxylate ester which is inexpensive and readily obtainable, a method, with high yield and improved selectively, for making a 2-(&ohgr;-alkoxycarbonylalkanoyl)-4-butanolide and an alkaline metal salt thereof, an ester of &ohgr;-hydroxy-(&ohgr;-3)-ketoaliphatic acid as a novel compound and a derivative thereof, and a method for making the same are provided.

Abstract: A method, with high yield and improved selectively, for making a 2-(&ohgr;-alkoxycarbonylalkanoyl)-4-butanolide and an alkaline metal salt thereof, an ester of &ohgr;-hydroxy-(&ohgr;-3)-ketoaliphatic acid as a novel compound and a derivative thereof, and a method for making the same are provided.

Abstract: 2-(&ohgr;-alkoxycarbonyl alkanoyl)-4-butanolide is produced with a high selectivity and yield through condensation reaction of Y-butyrolactone with a readily available, low-price dicarboxylate as represented by the following general formula: ROOC(CH2)nCOOR wherein n denotes an integer of 8-13, and R denotes an alkyl group or an alkenyl group.

Abstract: Method for producing an alkyl carboxylate, in which a carboxylic acid and an alcohol are esterified by reaction in the presence of an acid catalyst, by removing water in a dehydration step established halfway in the esterification reaction using a solid acid catalyst as the acid catalyst, and restarting the esterification reaction to complete the esterification reaction.

Abstract: Safe antibacterial agents containing macrocyclic lactones and/or macrocyclic ketones usable for suppressing the growth of indigenous dermal bacteria. Cosmetics containing these antibacterial agents can, in particular, suppress the evolution of the body odor and are efficacious in preventing and treating pimples. When introduced into clothing, these antibacterial agents achieve an antibacterial/deodorizing effect.

Abstract: .omega.-Hydroxy-(.omega.-3)-ketonitrile of the formula NC(CH.sub.2).sub.n --CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.3 OH wherein n is an integer of 7 to 11.

Abstract: There are disclosed (i) .omega.-hydroxy-(.omega.-3)-ketonitrile represented by the formula ( I ):NC(CH.sub.2).sub.n --CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.3 OH (I)wherein n is an integer of 7 to 11, (ii) a method for preparing the .omega.-hydroxy-(.omega.-3)-ketonitrile which comprises reacting .alpha.-(.omega.-cyanoalkanoyl)-.gamma.-butyrolactone represented by the formula (II): ##STR1## wherein n has the same meaning as defined above, in the presence of 1 to less than 2 mole of an alkali metal hydroxide per mole of the butyrolactone in an aqueous medium, and (iii) a method for preparing .omega.-hydroxy fatty acid represented by the formula (IV):HOOC(CH.sub.2).sub.n+4 --OH (IV)wherein n has the same meaning as defined above, which comprises reacting the above .omega.-hydroxy-(.omega.-3)-ketonitrile of the formula (I) with hydrazine in an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide.

Abstract: A molded slow-release air freshener prepared by having a liquid perfume composition absorbed into a porous molded product which has been obtained by partially melt-bonding the particles of an ethylenevinyl acetate copolymer powder with each other to obtain said porous molded product having continuous gas-permeable pores and a bulk density in the range of 0.4 to 0.8 g/cm.sup.3, said molded slow-release air freshener having an increased apparent volume of at least 1.2 times as large as its apparent volume before the absorption of said liquid perfume composition.