Abstract: A method for the preparation of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane whereby 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane is contacted with the fluorination catalyst at elevated temperature to effect isomerization.

Abstract: Process for extracting lactic acid from aqueous acidic media is disclosed which process includes treatment with a complexing macrocyclic octol and organic solvent immiscible with water, separating the organic phase containing the lactic acid-macrocyclic octol complex thereby formed, which releases the lactic acid by treatment with alkaline water or with methanol.

Abstract: N-Phosphonomethylglycine can be purified and concentrated from aqueous solutions containing N-phosphonomethylglycine and impurities, such as N-formyl-N-phosphonomethylglycine, phosphorous acid, and the like, by passing the aqueous solution through an ion exchange column containing a weakly basic ion exchange resin to remove such impurities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to branched perfluoroalkanes which, having bonds between a quaternary carbon atom and a tertiary carbon atom, easily undergo a homolytic scission of the C--C bond thereby releasing (non-persistent) radicals which may be used as initiators of polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers.A further object of the present invention are new perfluoroalkanes having at least 9 carbon atoms belonging to the above described group.

Abstract: Threo- and erythro- epoxy alcohols are converted in high yield to trans- and cis-allyl alcohols, respectively. The threo epoxy alcohol or erythro-epoxy alcohol is reacted with a toluenesulfonic anhydride to form a threo- or erythro- glycidyl tosylate. The glycidyl tosylate is contacted with tellurium ion, in the form, e.g. of Na.sub.2 Te that has been prepared by adding tellurium in elemental form and sodium borohydride or lithium triethyl borohydride to dimethylformamide (DMF). The DMF has a low volatility and permits further work to be carried out at elevated temperatures. The glycidyl tosylate is added to the sodium telluride in DMF, and is permitted to react. The tellurium ion displaces the tosylate and opens the epoxide to form an unstable alkoxy epitelluride. This epitelluride is a short-lived intermediate, and extrudes the tellurium, leaving the olefin. The opening of the epoxide required the adoption of an anti configuration.

Abstract: Novel partially fluorinated alkenes having the Formula: ##STR1## wherein each R is the same or different and is selected from the group consisting of CF.sub.3, CHF.sub.2, CH.sub.2 F, and CH.sub.3 CF.sub.2, and R' is an alkenyl or fluoroalkenyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms have utility as solvents in a variety of industrial cleaning applications including cold cleaning, dry cleaning, and defluxing of printed circuit boards.

Abstract: Process, which is feasible on a commercial scale, for the production of gamma-butyrobetaine. For this purpose, butyrolactone with hydrogen chloride and an alcohol is converted to the chlorobutyric acid ester, the trimethylammonium butyric acid salt is formed with trimethylamine and then saponified to the end product.

Abstract: A method of making 2,2-dimethyl-4-(2',3'-epoxy)propoxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane is disclosed, wherein isopropylidene glycerol and epichlorohydrin are reacted in a molar ratio of 0.7:1.0 to 1.0:0.7, respectively, in the presence of at least one Lewis acid or at least one strong inorganic acid at temperatures 283.degree. K. to 373.degree. K., and the initially formed isopropylidene glycerol chlorohydrin ether is reacted with a strongly alkaline base in a molar ratio of chlorohydrin ether to the alkaline base of 1.0:1.0 to 1.0:1.1, respectively, to givbe the 2,2-dimethyl-4-(2',3'-epoxy)propoxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane. This compound is suitable for use as an intermediate for the production of nonionic and/or ionic surfactants, as a reactive diluent and as an auxiliary solvent and auxiliary stabilizer.

Abstract: A process for the separation and purification of individual phospholipids, especially phosphatidylcholine or lecithin and phosphatidylethanolaine, from mixtures containing members of the sub-class of phosphatides, incorporating methods of solvent extraction appropriate to the scale of the sample and utilizing an acetonitrile, acetonitrile-hydrocarbon, or acetonitrile-fluorocarbon solvent, which exhibit differential solubility properties towards the individual phospholipids.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process and apparatus for synthetically producing .sup.15 O-labeled butanol for position emission tomography. A procedure and apparatus have been developed for the routine rapid and sequential synthesis of oxygen-15 labeled butanol in the amounts and with the purity suitable for use in clinical position tomography. This procedure can replace oxygen-15 labeled water which is more commonly used for routine application, as well as the prior art processes for producing oxygen-15 labeled butanol.

Abstract: Photochlorination of aromatic compounds having at least one alkyl side chain is carried out in the presence of an alkylene polyamine previously mixed with an aromatic compound having at least one chlorinated side chain whereby side reactions are suppressed.Aromatic compounds having a monochlorinated side chain are stabilized with an alkylene polyamine. Stainless steel apparatuses can be used in both cases.

Abstract: Isopropanol is prepared through catalytic hydrogenation of acetone by feeding hydrogen gas and acetone liquid into a reactor having a fixed catalyst bed from its top to form a cocurrent gas/liquid downflow while maintaining the catalyst bed in a trickle bed state. This process can produce isopropanol at a high reaction rate in high yields using a simple reactor.

Abstract: Halide alkoxy-containing compounds of the formula ROMgX, where X is halide (e.g., chloride) and R is derived from a C.sub.4 -C.sub.15 normal secondary alcohol (e.g., 2-octanol) are hydrocarbon soluble.

Abstract: A method for producing 1,4-butanediol by hydrogenating succinic anhydride, succinic acid or .gamma.-butyrolactone in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the hydrogenation reaction is conducted in a liquid phase using as the catalyst a ruthenium type catalyst comprising ruthenium, an organic phosphine and a phosphorus compound of the following formula (1): ##STR1## wherein each of X and Y is an atom or a group selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a halogen atom, an alkoxy group, an alkyl group and an aryl group.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of 3-phenoxybenzylalcohol, 3-phenoxytoluene is reacted with dibromodimethylhydantoin in a non-polar solvent, followed by hydrolysis of the products of the first reaction step.The process provides highly pure 3-phenoxybenzylalcohol with high yields.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 1,4-butanediol by catalytically hydrogenating maleic anhydride in the presence of an alcohol, at elevated temperature and elevated pressure and with the aid of a cobalt-containing catalyst comprises partially hydrogenating the reaction mixture in a first hydrogenation step at from 100.degree. to 200.degree. C. and at from 30 to 200 bar and subsequently post-hydrogenating the product of this first hydrogenation step, without further work-up at higher temperature and pressure than in the first hydrogenation step, in a second hydrogenation step at from 200.degree. to 300.degree. C. and at from 200 to 350 bar.

Abstract: Novel acetylenic alcohols were isolated from the known marine sponge Cribrochalina vasculum. These compounds, and derivatives thereof, are useful agents for the treatment of cancers of humans and animals. Also, these compounds and their derivatives can be used as immunosuppressive agents for humans and animals.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diol by an addition reaction between isobutyraldehyde and formaldehyde in the presence of tertiary amines as the catalyst, hydrogenation of the reaction mixture, and subsequent distillation. Before the distillation, formaldehyde is added to the hydrogenation product to remove unwanted basic impurities.

Abstract: Methods for converting phosphonates into thiophosphonates and specific thiophosphonate compounds so produced are disclosed and claimed. The methods start with a reaction mixture formed of a phosphonate compound, including one or more strong electron-withdrawing groups located adjacent to the phosphorus in the compound, a slight excess of Lawesson's reagent, and a polar aprotic solvent. The reaction mixture is heated until reaction is complete and may be followed with separation or hydrolyzation steps to produce thiophosphonic acids and their addition salts. One of these thio-analogues, thiophosphonoformic acid (TPFA) is particularly effective at inhibiting HIV replication and in treating mammals infected with HIV.

Abstract: A two-step reaction process for converting ethylene oxide with high selectivity into monoethylene glycol which comprises firstly reacting ethylene oxide with acetone in the presence of a solid acid catalyst to form 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane and secondly hydrolyzing the 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane with water in the presence of a solid acid catalyst to form monoethylene glycol.