Abstract: Process for the preparation of derivatives having general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein the meaning of R will be defined in the text, characterized by the reaction between a compound having formula ##STR2## wherein X is an halogen, and an alkaline salt of a methyl dialkylmalonate.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of glycine-conjugated bile acids as general formula (I):Y--NH--CH.sub.2 --COOH (I)wherein Y is the acyl radical of a bile acid selected from the group consisting of ursodeoxycholic, chenodeoxycholic, lithocholic, 3.alpha.-7.beta.-12.alpha.-tri-hydroxycholanic, 3.alpha.-7.beta.-dihydroxy-12-ketocholanic, deoxycholic, dehydrocholic, iodeoxycholic, iocholic acids and relative compositions for hepatic insufficiency treatment, containing the abovesaid acids as active ingredients, in continuation with suitable excipients and/or diluents.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of taurine-conjugated biliary acids of general formula (I):(Y--NH--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --SO.sub.3).sub.1 M (I)where Y is the acyl of a biliary acid selected from the group consisting of ursodeoxycholic, chenodeoxycholic, lithocholic, 3.alpha.-7.beta.-12.alpha.-tri-hydroxycholanic, 3.alpha.-7.beta.-dihydroxy-12-ketocholanic, deoxycholic, dehydrocholic, iodeoxycholic, iocholic acids; M is H, Na, K, Mg, Ca; 1 is 1 or 2, being 2 when M=Mg or Ca.

Abstract: Process for pharmaceutical grade high purity hyodeoxycholic acid preparation starting from swine bile, consisting in the treatment of swine bile with sodium hydroxide, isolation of hyodeoxycholic, chenodeoxycholic and hyocholic acids by precipiation of their zinc salts and subsequent selective precipitation of the hyodeoxycholic acid magnesium salt, from which the acid is freed by acidification and then crystallized.

Abstract: A process for preparing 3-.alpha.-7-.beta.-dihydroxycholanic acid from a crude product containing up to 15% by weight of 3-.alpha.-7-.alpha.-dihydroxycholanic acid and up to 1% by weight of 3.alpha.-hydroxycholanic acid, by esterifying with methanol, crystallizing from a mixture of solvents consisting of methanol, an aromatic solvent and water and recrystallizing from a mixture of methanol, aromatic solvent and water.

Abstract: Salification products between cholic acids (chenodeoxicholic and ursodeoxycholic acid) and trimebutyne in the molar ratio 1:1 or 2:1 have been prepared. These new salts show a pharmacotherapeutic action, which, as a whole, is not found in other known drugs, and which makes them useful for the treatment of diskinesiae, biliary dyspepsiae, cholecystopathies, and for the normalization of the kinesis of the intestinal gastro-biliary tract.

Abstract: A process for preparing very pure ursodeoxycholic acid starting from cholic acid (I) by:(a) selectively oxidizing it to 3 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-ketocholanic acid (II)(b) reducing acid (II) to 3 alpha, 7 beta, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-cholanic acid (III)(c) oxidizing a 3,7-ester of acid (III) to 3 alpha, 7 beta-dihydroxy-12-keto-5-beta-cholanic acid (IV) by treatment with hypochlorite followed by hydrolysis(d) preparing the tris-trimethylsilyl derivative of acid (IV)(e) eliminating the trimethylsilyl groups(f) reducing the very pure acid (IV) by the Wolff-Kishner method to ursodeoxycholic acid.Alternatively, the Wolff-Kishner method can be applied directly to the tris-trimethylsilyl derivative, and the trimethylsilyl groups can be eliminated from the final product.

Abstract: Process for preparing chenodeoxycholic substantially free from impurities and from solvents; crude chenodeoxycholic acid is subjected to crystallization from a solvent selected in the group consisting of mono- and polyhalogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms and that, if desired, the thus obtained product is dissolved in a water-miscible organic acid having low molecular weight and the thus obtained solution is poured into water, the precipitate is poured into water, the precipitate is collected by filtration, washed with water and dried.

Abstract: The humid amorphous form of chenodeoxycholic acid undergoes a physical treatment at room temperature comprising causing a collision of the particles of the amorphous product in bulk by means of shaking or stirring to prepare the solvent-free crystalline form of chenodeoxycholic acid which melts at 168.degree.-170.degree. C.

Abstract: A mixture of ursodeoxycholic acid and of chenodeoxycholic acid as well as of their salts and esters is reacted with a silylating agent in a suitable anhydrous organic solvent; the corresponding silyl-derivatives thus obtained are separated by crystallization and pure ursodeoxycholic acid is recovered from the corresponding silyl-derivatives in the usual manner.