Abstract: A method for producing propylene oxide in which the concentration of an organic peroxide in a reaction solution after an epoxidation step is from 20 to 5,000 ppm by weight based on the amount excluding propylene in the reaction solution, the method comprising an epoxidation step of reacting an organic peroxide with propylene in the presence of a catalyst to obtain propylene oxide and an alcohol, a propylene recovery step of recovering the unreacted propylene in the epoxidation step and recycling the resulting propylene as a raw material of the epoxidation step, and a propylene oxide purification step of distilling the propylene oxide obtained in the epoxidation step to obtain purified propylene oxide.

Abstract: Accordingly, the invention relates to a process for the preparation of a glycidyl ester of a branched monocarboxylic acid by reacting an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid of the formula R1R2R3CCOOH, wherein R1, R2, and R3 each independently represent an alkyl radical of normal or branched structure containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and an epoxyalkyl halide containing from 3 to 13 carbon atoms in the presence of a catalyst, wherein a greater than stoichiometric amount of epoxyalkyl halide is reacted with the acid (e.g., preferably in the molar ratio of epoxyalkyl halide to acid that is in the range of from 1.02:1 to 1.50:1) to form an intermediate reaction product comprising a halohydrin, the epoxyalkyl halide is added to the acid with appropriate cooling of the reactants and/or the reaction mixture to keep the temperature of the reaction mixture below 80° C., whereupon the epoxyalkyl halide and the acid are reacted at a temperature below 80° C. (preferably in the range of from 55 to 75° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing lactide with a high yield from lactate obtained through a fermentation process. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method of preparing high-purity lactide with a high yield, wherein the method comprises treating lactate with a specific solvent, using a catalyst, and phase-separating the resultant. In accordance with the invention, costs for manufacturing polylactic acid can be considerably reduced.

Abstract: Analogs of 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid and their method of preparation are presented. The analogs may be used as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents. The compounds inhibit 5-lipoxygenase enzyme and various cell lines related to inflammation as well as to cancer showing a significantly better efficacy when compared to the normal boswellic acids. The analogs are capable of controlling and treating various inflammatory diseases and cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lubiprostone crystal, the method for the preparation thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition or kit comprising the same, as well as the use of said crystal in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of gastrointestinal tract diseases, especially constipation. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern of said crystal comprises characteristic peaks measured at the following 2? reflection angles: 14.6±0.2°, 17.0±0.2° and 19.6±0.2°. As compared to amorphous lubiprostone, the crystal of the present invention has the advantages of relative high purity, stable properties and easy-for-storage and use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an epoxy compound, comprising oxidizing a carbon-carbon double bond of an organic compound by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a neutral inorganic salt and a mixed catalyst of a tungsten compound (a), at least one phosphorus compound selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acids, phosphonic acids, and salts thereof (b) and a surfactant (c), and an epoxidizing method comprising oxidizing a carbon-carbon double bond by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of the catalyst and the neutral inorganic salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the overall selectivity of an EO process for converting ethylene to ethylene oxide utilizing a highly selective EO silver catalyst containing a rhenium promoter wherein following normal operation a chloride strip of the chloride on the surface of the catalyst is conducted in order to remove a portion of the chlorides on the surface of the catalyst. The chloride strip involves the addition of certain saturated hydrocarbons to the feed. Following the chloride strip, the catalyst is optionally re-optimized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the overall selectivity of an EO process for converting ethylene to ethylene oxide utilizing a highly selective EO silver catalyst containing a rhenium promoter wherein following normal operation a hard strip of the chloride on the surface of the catalyst is conducted in order to remove a portion of the chlorides on the surface of the catalyst. Following the hard strip, the catalyst is optionally re-optimized. Surprisingly, it has been found that the selectivity of the catalyst following the hard strip may be substantially higher than the selectivity prior to the hard strip.

Abstract: Use a modified, amine-functionalized anion exchange resin as a catalyst to produce a bishalohydrin ether and then dehydrohalogenate the bishalohydrin ether with an aqueous inorganic hydroxide mixture to yield a liquid epoxy resin.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of 1,2-epoxy-3-chloropropane by reaction between allyl chloride and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a solid catalyst and in the possible presence of at least one solvent in an epoxidation medium comprising at least two liquid phases under the conditions of reaction, wherein the catalyst exhibits an external surface to volume ratio lower than to 2.4 104 m?1.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of propylene oxide (“PO”) by catalytic oxidation of propylene with an oxidant wherein the catalytic oxidation is performed in an aqueous reaction medium, comprising water with less than 10% by volume of cosolvents, wherein a water-soluble manganese complex is used as oxidation catalyst, characterized in that the water-soluble manganese complex is a mononuclear species of the general formula (I): [LMnX3]Y ??(I) or a binuclear species of the general formula (II): [LMn(?-X)3MnL]Y2 ??(II) wherein Mn is a manganese; L or each L independently is a polydentate ligand, each X independently is a coordinating species and each ?-X independently is a bridging coordinating species, whereas Y is an non-coordinating counterion, and wherein the catalytic oxidation is carried out at a pH in the range of from 1.5 to 6.0.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a 1,2-epoxide by catalytic oxidation of a terminal olefin with hydrogen peroxide wherein the catalytic oxidation is performed in a biphasic system comprising an organic phase and an aqueous reaction medium, wherein a water-soluble manganese complex is used as oxidation catalyst, wherein a terminal olefin is used with a solubility at 20° C. of at least 0.01 to 100 g in 1 liter water, and wherein the molar ratio of terminal olefin to hydrogen peroxide is in the range of from 1:0.1 to 1:2.

Abstract: A method for producing glycolide, including the steps of: heating a mixture containing a glycolic acid oligomer, a high-boiling point polar organic solvent having a boiling point of 230 to 450° C., and a tin compound under normal pressure or reduced pressure until a temperature at which the glycolic acid oligomer is depolymerized, to thereby dissolve the glycolic acid oligomer in the high-boiling point polar organic solvent; heating a solution, in which the glycolic acid oligomer is dissolved, under normal pressure or reduced pressure until a temperature at which the glycolic acid oligomer is depolymerized, to thereby form glycolide by depolymerization of the glycolic acid oligomer in the solution; and co-distilling off the high-boiling point polar organic solvent and the formed glycolide from a depolymerization reaction system.

Abstract: A process for preparing a divinylarene dioxide including reacting (a) at least one divinylarene with (b) at least one oxidant in the presence of (c) at least one transition metal complex catalyst, and (d) optionally, in the presence of a solvent, and (e) optionally in the presence of a catalyst modifier under conditions to form a divinylarene dioxide product.

Abstract: In the production of phthalic anhydride by the oxidation of ortho-xylene with air, the ortho-xylene loading is increased without increasing the likelihood of explosion by insulating the system to avoid cold spots to keep the ortho-xylene at a temperature above its dew point; in addition the system may be electrically interconnected and grounded to reduce the risk of spark initiated explosions or deflagrations.

Abstract: A multiple liquid phase composition and process for preparing an oxirane product, such as epichlorohydrin, including a reaction mixture of: (a) at least one olefin, wherein the olefin is selected from one of (i) an aliphatic olefin or substituted aliphatic olefin, with the proviso that the aliphatic olefin is not propylene, (ii) a cycloaliphatic olefin, (iii) an aromatic olefin, (iv) a cycloaromatic olefin, and (v) mixtures thereof; (b) at least one peroxide compound, (c) at least one catalyst, and (d) and a solvent mixture; wherein the solvent mixture comprises at least (i) at least one alcohol or a combination of alcohols, and (ii) at least one non-reactive co-solvent; wherein the solvents are mixed at a predetermined concentration; wherein the non-reactive co-solvent has a different boiling point than the oxirane product; and wherein the oxirane product partitions into a high affinity solvent during the reaction.

Abstract: A 2,2-bis(fluoroalkyl)oxirane (A) is prepared by reacting a fluorinated alcohol (1) with a chlorinating, brominating or sulfonylating agent under basic conditions to form an oxirane precursor (2) and subjecting the oxirane precursor to ring closure under basic conditions. R1 and R2 are fluoroalkyl groups, R3 and R4 are hydrogen or monovalent hydrocarbon groups, X is chlorine, bromine or —OSO2R5 group, and R5 is alkyl or aryl.

Abstract: Titanosilicate catalyst is used in the oxidation reactions such as allylchloride epoxidation, phenol hydroxylation, Cyclohexanone ammoximation. During the reaction the catalyst is deactivated which further decrease in the efficiency of the oxidation reactions. The present invention provides a method for an efficient regeneration of catalyst titanosilicate catalyst at low temperature below 100° C. using a gaseous mixture containing ozone, without isolating the catalyst from the reactor system.

Abstract: A process for preparing a divinylarene dioxide including reacting (a) at least one divinylarene; (b) at least one peroxycarboximidic acid; (c) at least one solvent; and (d) at least one basic compound, under conditions to form a reaction mixture containing a divinylarene dioxide product; and then separating the divinylarene dioxide product from the other reaction mixture components to obtain a purified divinylarene dioxide product.

Abstract: The present invention discloses 4-nerolidylcatechol and its derivatives isolated from South American/Amazon plants (Pothomorphe species) and their potential use as therapeutical agent for treatment of malarial symptoms, including malarial patients resistant to traditional drugs. The present invention also discloses a method for producing 4-nerolidylcatechol and their derivatives.