Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of diaminobutane from ornithine, comprising steps of: i. preparing a solution of (a) a salt of ornithine and an acid; and (b) an aldehyde or a ketone, or a mixture thereof; in (c) a solvent, wherein the solvent comprises a protic organic solvent or a dipolar aprotic organic solvent, or a mixture thereof and ii. heating the solution to a temperature above 100° C., thereby inducing decarboxylation of the ornithine and formation of diaminobutane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of diaminobutane from ornithine, comprising steps of: i. preparing a solution of (a) a salt of ornithine and an acid; and (b) an aldehyde or a ketone, or a mixture thereof; in (c) a solvent, wherein the solvent comprises a protic organic solvent or a dipolar aprotic organic solvent, or a mixture thereof and ii. heating the solution to a temperature above 100° C., thereby inducing decarboxylation of the ornithine and formation of diaminobutane.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of alkenoic acid esters comprising contacting a lactone with an alcohol and an acidic catalyst in the gas phase, characterized in that the process is carried out in the presence of at least 0.26 wt. % water, relative to the amount of the lactone. The process may result in a good production yield and selectivity with respect to the production of alkenoic acid esters and may also result in less formation of dialkylethers. The improved yield advantageously allows energy conservation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of alkenoic acid esters comprising contacting a lactone with an alcohol and an acidic heterogeneous catalyst, characterized in that the process is carried out in the presence of at least 20 ppm of an acid having a pKa of 5 or less, relative to the amount of the lactone. The presence of at least 20 ppm of an acid having a pKa of 5 or less may stabilize the catalyst during the reaction and may also be used for reactivating an acidic heterogeneous catalyst. The improved yield advantageously allows energy conservation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of cis-1-ammonium-4-alkoxycyclohexanecarbonitrile salts and to novel intermediates or starting compounds which are passed through or used in the process according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of valerolactone, said process comprising reacting levulinic acid with hydrogen by using a solid Ru catalyst, characterized in that the process is carried out in the presence of at least 0.08% (w/w) water relative to the amount of levulinic acid. Said process may be faster and more selective. This process advantageously allows the production of valerolactone from renewable sources. The valerolactone may be used in the preparation of methylpentenoate, adipic acid dimethylester, adipic acid, hexamethylenediamine, and polyamide 6,6 (all claimed).

Abstract: Described is a method for the preparation of renin inhibitors such as aliskiren, and intermediates useful therein. The method introduces a nitrogen-containing intermediate such as a lactone of formula (8). with R4 being a branched C3-6 alkyl. In the preparation of the lactone, or related intermediates, a desired stereochemical configuration can be controlled by starting from a chiral aldehyde satisfying formula (10).

Abstract: Described is a method for the preparation of renin inhibitors such as aliskiren, and intermediates useful therein. The method introduces a nitrogen-containing intermediate such as a lactone of formula (8). with R4 being a branched C3—6 alkyl. In the preparation of the lactone, or related intermediates, a desired stereochemical configuration can be controlled by starting from a chiral aldehyde satisfying formula (10).

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of valerolactone, said process comprising reacting levulinic acid with hydrogen by using a solid Ru catalyst, characterised in that the process is carried out in the presence of at least 0.08% (w/w) water relative to the amount of levulinic acid. Said process may be faster and more selective. This process advantageously allows the production of valerolactone from renewable sources. The valerolactone may be used in the preparation of methylpentenoate, adipic acid dimethylester, adipic acid, hexamethylenediamine, and polyamide 6,6 (all claimed).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of cis-1-ammonium-4-alkoxycyclohexanecarbonitrile salts and to novel intermediates or starting compounds which are passed through or used in the process according to the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel alpha-substituted ?,?-unsaturated E- or Z-aldehydes, or isomer mixture thereof, of the formula (I) in which R1 and R2 may be identical or different and are each H or a hydrocarbon, in which the hydrocarbon may have one or more heteroatoms and R3 and R4 may be identical or different and are each a hydrocarbon, in which the hydrocarbon may have one or more heteroatoms, and R5 may be identical or different and is H or a hydrocarbon, in which the hydrocarbon may have one or more heteroatoms, to the use thereof, and to processes for their preparation. The invention further relates to the preparation of further intermediates for pharmaceuticals and to the preparation of the pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel alpha-substituted ?,?-unsaturated E- or Z-aldehydes, or isomer mixture thereof, of the formula in which R1 and R2 may be identical or different and are each H or a hydrocarbon, in which the hydrocarbon may have one or more heteroatoms and R3 and R4 may be identical or different and are each a hydrocarbon, in which the hydrocarbon may have one or more heteroatoms, and R5 may be identical or different and is H or a hydrocarbon, in which the hydrocarbon may have one or more heteroatoms, to the use thereof, and to processes for their preparation. The invention further relates to the preparation of further intermediates for pharmaceuticals and to the preparation of the pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of 3-methylpyridin by reacting 2-methyl-2,5-di-aminopentane and/or 3-methylpiperidin at about atmospheric pressure and a temperature of 180° C. to 400° C. in a hydrogen atmosphere free of oxygen gas in the presence of a suitable catalyst and of water and/or a volatile alcohol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of compounds that are important building blocks in convergent synthesis routes to 2(S),4(S),5(S),7(S)-2,7-dialkyl-4-hydroxy-5-amino-8-aryl-octanoyl amides or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, such as the compound Aliskiren, and to a process for the preparation of these octanoyl amides, comprising reacting said building block.

Abstract: Described is a method for the preparation of renin inhibitors such as aliskiren, and intermediates useful therein. The method introduces a nitrogen-containing intermediate such as a lactone of formula (8). with R4 being a branched C3—6 alkyl. In the preparation of the lactone, or related intermediates, a desired stereochemical configuration can be controlled by starting from a chiral aldehyde satisfying formula (10).

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a Schiff base of an &agr;-alkyl-&agr;-amino acid amide and an aldehyde, wherein the corresponding &agr;-aminonitrile is contacted with a base and the aldehyde and wherein it is ensured that the reagents are in good contact. The Schiff base obtained may be further hydrolysed to form the &agr;-alkyl-&agr;-amino acid amide and the aldehyde. Preferably a substituted or unsubstituted benzaldehyde is used as the aldehyde. The reaction is preferably carried out in a practically homogeneously mixed phase obtained by using a solvent, for example methanol or ethanol. Preferably NaOH or KOH is used as the base.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a Schiff base of an &agr;-alkyl-&agr;-amino acid amide and an aldehyde, wherein the corresponding &agr;-aminonitrile is contacted with a base and the aldehyde and wherein it is ensured that the reagents are in good contact. The Schiff base obtained may be further hydrolysed to form the &agr;-alkyl-&agr;-amino acid amide and the aldehyde.