Abstract: This invention provides a novel metalloprotease having an aggrecanase activity which causes joint diseases, a gene coding for this metalloprotease, a promoter of the above metalloprotease, a method for screening a drug with the use of the above metalloprotease and a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting degradation of proteoglycans, which comprises as the active ingredient a substance capable of inhibiting the aggrecanase activity of the above metalloprotease.

Abstract: This invention provides (R)-2-octanol dehydrogenase that catalyzes oxidation-reduction reaction using NAD+ (NADH) as a coenzyme and the genes that encodes them. The enzymes of this invention can be obtained from microorganisms such as the genera Pichia, Candida, and Ogataea, and so on. It is possible to produce alcohols, in particular, alcohols such as (S)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyric acid esters and (R)-propoxybenzene derivatives by reducing ketones with this (R)-2-octanol dehydrogenase. Moreover, the (R)-2-octanol dehydrogenase of this invention is excellent in activity and stereoselectivity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel, biologically-derived carboxylic acid reductase, also referred to herein as an aryl-aldehyde oxidoreductase, that has been isolated and purified from Nocardia sp. strain NRRL 5646, and to methods of using the carboxylic acid reductase as a biocatalyst for the reduction of carboxylic acids or their derivatives to the corresponding useful product(s). In a preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to biochemically-produced vanillin, and to the methods of its production by the biocatalytic reduction of vanillic acid, or a precursor or derivative thereof, in a reaction comprising the substantially purified, biologically-derived carboxylic acid reductase.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vapor phase process for the production of an alkyl styrene by the catalytic dehydrogenation of tertiary butylethylbenzene in the presence of catalysts containing iron oxides under conditions which minimize the undesirable thermal degradation of the raw material and the product while maintaining good yield and selectivity with low production of by-products. Specifically, it has been discovered that these desired results may be obtained by conducting the subject reaction at relatively low temperatures of between about 1000.degree. F. and about 1100.degree. F. and by maintaining a low partial pressure (i.e., not greater than about 0.5 psi) of the alkyl ethylbenzene in the reaction mixture. The desired partial pressure of the alkyl ethylbenzene is obtained by carrying out the catalytic reaction at a pressure of between about 1 psia and about 30 psia with steam as a diluent, the weight ratio of steam to alkyl ethylbenzene being between about 3 and about 30.

Abstract: A catalytic process for the dimerization of norbornene and/or norbornadiene using a reduced valence state Group VIB metal oxide as the catalyst, preferably Cr(II) on a porous support such as silica. The product norbornene dimer or norbornadiene dimer is obtained in high yield and high stereospecificity at greater than 90 weight percent of the exo-trans-exo stereoisomer. The norbornene dimer is useful as a high energy density fuel. The norbornadiene dimer can be further functionalized to yield novel chemical intermediates or polymerized or copolymerized with other olefins. The norbornadiene dimer can also be hydrogenated for high energy fuel applications.

Abstract: Structures composed at least partially of an organic substrate are protected from oxidation by applying a catalyst onto said substrate for promoting the combination of atomic oxygen to molecular oxygen. The structure may also be protected by applying both a catalyst and an atomic oxygen shielding layer onto the substrate. The invention is useful for enhancing the protection of polymeric blankets, solar arrays and spacecraft surfaces in low earth orbit from cavities produced by atomic oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous cleaning composition which is useful for the removal of grease or tar without any mechanical action. In particular, the instant compositions are derived from three liquid phases which merge together at the tricritical point to form one continuum forming the aqueous cleaning composition, wherein the three phases incorporate at least a polar solvent, a non-polar solvent or weakly polar solvent and a water soluble or water low molecular weight water dispersible amphiphile.

Abstract: A novel process having improved flexibility in olefins production is provided which integrates a deep catalytic cracking process with a steam cracking process, and optionally, also including steps of disproportionation and C.sub.4 hydrocarbon processing including methyl tertiary butyl ether synthesis.

Abstract: An improved composition of matter and method for neutralizing acid in air conditioning or refrigeration systems is disclosed. An acid neutralizing substance (such as an alkali metal hydrate) is supersaturated into an anhydrous alcohol to form an alkaline solution. The solution is then mixed with a lubricating oil, and the resulting mixture introduced into a refrigerant compressor system on the high pressure side of the compressor. The improved composition and method can also be utilized to prevent the formation of acid in a compressor system. The improved composition is also used to neutralize any acid in refrigerants prior to disposal. The improved composition is also used to neutralize any acid in recycled refrigeration oil prior to reuse of the oil.

Abstract: A process for conversion of a feedstock selected from the group consisting of biomass and refuse derived fuel (RDF) to provide reformulated gasoline components comprising a substantial amount of materials selected from the group consisting of ethers, alcohols, or mixtures thereof, comprising: drying said feedstock; subjecting said dried feedstock to fast pyrolysis using a vortex reactor or other means; catalytically cracking vapors resulting from said pyrolysis using a zeolite catalyst; condensing any aromatic byproduct fraction; catalytically alkylating any benzene present in said vapors after condensation; catalytically oligomerizing any remaining ethylene and propylene to higher olefins; isomerizing said olefins to reactive iso-olefins; and catalytically reacting said iso-olefins with an alcohol to form ethers or with water to form alcohols.

Abstract: A process is provided for selective catalytic conversion of certain hydrocarbon feedstocks to product rich in para-dialkyl substituted benzenes. The catalyst required in the process comprises a crystalline material having the structure of PSH-3, MCM-22 or MCM-49, or a mixture of said crystalline materials, said crystalline material having been treated with one or more monomeric or polymeric siloxane compounds which decompose to oxide or non-oxide ceramic or solid-state carbon species.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the polymerization of polyolefins, in which .alpha.-olefins are polymerized in the presence of a catalyst system composed of: the solid catalyst component (A) obtained by reacting a magnesium compound with oxygen-containing organic compounds of a transition metal, aluminum and silicon, followed by further reacting with a halogenated organoaluminum compound, and the catalyst component (B) comprising of organoaluminum compound and/or organoaluminoxane compound. The catalyst system of this invention provides polymers having an excellent particle form and the molecular weight distribution being easily controlled in a wide range, in high activity, and copolymers having a narrow composition distribution range.

Abstract: A process for separating a first component of a composition from a second component of a composition. The process involves contacting the composition with a supercritical fluid comprising 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane or 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, or a mixture thereof, in the supercritical state under conditions and for a time sufficient to remove the first component from the composition.

Abstract: A nickel/aluminum oxide catalyst having a nickel content from 10 to 60% by weight, based on the total catalyst, in which the nickel is in the form of crystallites having an average diameter ranging from 15 nm to 50 nm.

Abstract: A process for converting a chlorinated alkene feedstock including two or more chlorines to reaction products including a less-chlorinated alkene in a commercially substantial proportion, comprising reacting the chlorinated alkene feedstock with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst consisting essentially of a Group VIII metal other than rhodium, palladium or ruthenium and a Group IB metal on a support.

Abstract: 1,1,2,3,4,4,6-Heptamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, a novel naphthalenic compound, is useful as an intermediate for the preparation of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3,5,5,6,7,8,8-heptamethyl-2-naphthalenecarbaldehyde. It is prepared by a process consisting of the addition of an olefin of formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent different substituents and each defines a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical, with p-cymene. 4,4-Dimethyl-2-pentene [compound (III): R.sup.1 =CH.sub.3 ; R.sup.2 =H] is obtained by the co-metathesis reaction of an olefin of formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent identical substituents designating each a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical, with an olefin of formula ##STR3## wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 identical or different, designate each a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical in the presence of an appropriate catalyst consisting of Re.sub.2 O.sub.7 on an inert solid carrier, or of WCl.sub.6 /(C.sub.2 H.sub.5))/Bu.sub.4 Sn.

Abstract: A method for accelerating the settling of finely divided solids in hydrocarbon fluids comprising adding to the hydrocarbon a sufficient settling amount of quaternary fatty ammonium compound. Preferably, the hydrocarbon is a fluid catalytic cracker slurry containing spent catalyst fines.

Abstract: A supported catalyst composition, which is effective as a diolefin hydrogenation catalyst, comprises palladium, silver and alkali metal fluoride. This catalyst composition is employed in the selective hydrogenation of C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 diolefins (preferably 1,3-butadiene) with hydrogen gas to the corresponding monoolefins.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the selective hydrogenation of polyunsaturated cyclic compounds comprising at least one endocyclic carbon-carbon double bond and at least one terminal exocyclic carbon-carbon double bond, said double bonds not being conjugated, to form a mixture essentially containing the saturated ring compound and comprising at least one terminal exocyclic double bond, the process being carried out in the presence of hydrogen under a pressure of from 1 to 10 MPa and at a temperature of from 0.degree. to 200.degree. C., and in the presence of a catalyst including a support and (a) from 0.1 to 5% by weight of at least one metal from group VIII (iridium, osmium, nickel, palladium, platinum and rhodium) and (b) from 0.01 to 15% by weight of at least one metal from group IVa (tin, germanium and lead), the molar ratio between metals of group VIII and group IVa being between 0.3 and 3. The process is used for the hydrogenation of 4-vinylcylcohexene to vinylcyclohexane.

Abstract: A process is provided for the disproportionation of a toluene feedstock over a metal promoted mordenite catalyst. The catalyst may contain between 1.0-1.5 weight percent nickel. The toluene feedstock is supplied to the reaction zone and into contact with the catalyst. The reaction zone is operated under disproportionation conditions. During disproportionation, heavy aromatic reformates, in concentration of at least 4 weight percent, are introduced into the reaction zone. Disproportionation product containing benzene and xylene is continuously withdrawn. The addition of the heavy aromatic reformate does not adversely affect toluene conversion rates, product selectivity to benzene, catalyst activity or catalyst life. Moreover, production of xylenes increase at the expense of production of heavies.