Abstract: The use of monomers of active a-amino acids for the preparation of hydrophobic polypeptides in the form of precipitates, whereby the polypeptides result from the polymerization of the aforementioned monomers of active a-amino acids in an aqueous solvent and can be resolubilized in the solvent.

Abstract: A method for detecting traces of pollutant in aqueous media, wherein the method includes the use of isocyanates to react on the nucleophilic functions in the form of trace amounts in a wet medium. The method for assaying nulceophilic functions in a wet medium includes the following steps: adding isocyanates to an aqueous solution of basic pH containing the nucleophilic functions to be tested; maintaining the solution for an interval ranging from a few minutes to several dozens of minutes at a temperature lower than 100° C.; and assaying the resulting carbamate, thiocarbamate or urea.

Abstract: A method for peptide synthesis using an N-?N'-nitroso-(R')carbamoyl!amino acid as the starting compound. The compound is separated into N.sub.2, R'OH and N-carboxyanhydride of formula (II). ##STR1## The compound (II) together with an amino acid or peptide with at least one free .alpha.-amino function is introduced into a reactive medium to obtain a dipeptide or a higher peptide than the added peptide.

Abstract: The invention relates to the synthesis of functional fluoro derivatives and more particularly that of perfluorinated aldehydes of the type R.sub.F -CHO where R.sub.F denotes a linear or branched perfluoroalkyl radical.A perfluoroalkyl iodide R.sub.F I is reacted over the zinc-copper metal couple, in the presence of a radical initiator, with an amide RCONR.sub.1 R.sub.2, R denoting a hydrogen atom or a methyl or ethyl radical, and each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 denoting a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl radical.

Abstract: A process for preparing perfluoroalkanecarboxylic acids, wherein a perfluoroiodoalkane, R.sub.F I, is reacted with trichloroethylene in an acidic solvent in the presence of zinc, and the 2-perfluoroalkyl-1,1-dichloroethylene thus obtained is oxidized with the aid of permanganate, R.sub.F representing a straight chain or branched perfluoro radical containing one to 20 carbon atoms, together with certain novel perfluoroalkyldichloroethylenes having four or more carbon atoms so obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the catalytic hydrolysis of an .alpha.-aminonitrile in the heterogeneous phase, and to polymeric resins having a catalytic activity for carrying out the present process.The process according to this invention is characterized in that said .alpha.-aminonitrile or one of the salts thereof is reacted in an aqueous medium, in the heterogeneous phase and in the presence of hydroxide ions on a polymeric resin which contains side chains carrying a carbonyl group, and which is insoluble in the aqueous basic medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of functionalized derivatives from iodopolyfluoroalkanes by electrochemical reduction. This reduction is carried out in a formamide or substituted formamide solvent which may contain up to 70% (by volume) water, on a carbon cathode; for certain embodiments sulfur dioxide may also be present. This method of preparing perfluoroalkanecarboxylic acids R.sub.F COOH or perfluoroalkanesulphinic acids, R.sub.F SO.sub.2 H and alcohols of the R.sub.F C.sub.2 H.sub.4 OH type, also makes it possible to prepare new fluorinated compounds of formulae: I--(CF.sub.2).sub.p-1 --COOH and HO.sub.2 S--(CF.sub.2).sub.p-1 --COOH, in which p is an even-numbered integer which may range from 4 to 12.

Abstract: The device for carrying out the continuous process for synthesizing an .alpha.-amino acid incorporates: (a) a vessel (10) for feeding .alpha.-amino-nitrile, or one of its salts; (b) a connecting pipe (12), in which a pump (14) is mounted, connecting the feed vessel (10) to (c) a catalysis column (16) containing a carbonyl-containing polymeric resin (18) which is insoluble in basic aqueous medium; (d) a connecting pipe (20) from the catalysis column (16) to (e) a hydrolysis reactor (22), acting simultaneously as a reservoir for the .alpha.-amino acid salt formed, and equipped with (f) means for feeding hydroxide ions, comprising a feed vessel (24), a pipe (26) and a pump (28); and (g) a pipe (30) for drawing off the .alpha.-amino acid salt formed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of free L .alpha.-amino acids by the complete conversion of their D antipodes taken individually or possibly in racemic mixtures.The process according to the present invention is characterized in that the D antipodes of an ester of said .alpha.-amino acid is racemized in the presence of a chemical catalyst formed by at least one aromatic aldehyde corresponding to the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: Ar represents an aromatic ring optionally containing a heteroatom, such as nitrogen, andB represents a basic function,to produce a mixture in dynamic equilibrium of the two forms D and L of said ester, the ester which is present in the L form is hydrolyzed enzymatically and irreversibly to produce the corresponding stereostable L .alpha.-amino acid, said stages of chemical racemization and of enzymatic hydrolysis being carried out under identical reaction conditions, and the free L .alpha.-amino acid is recovered.

Abstract: The process for making a fluorinated product comprising reacting a perfluoroalkyl iodide and an olefin in the presence of a finely divided zinc and an acidic solvent.

Abstract: Process for preparing R.sub.F CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH alcohols from R.sub.F CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 I by reaction with a Zn/Cu metallic couple in the presence of a dissociation solvent having a water content of about 0.25 molar or less, oxidizing the resulting organometallic intermediate, and hydrolyzing the resulting product to form the corresponding perfluorinated alcohol. The perfluorinated alcohols are well known and are useful as intermediates for the production of valuable surface active agents as well as other useful materials.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of true acetylene hydrocarbons with a perfluoro chain, characterized by dehydroiodination with an alkali metal hydroxde in an alcoholic medium of the iodohydrin ##STR1## wherein R.sub.F is a straight or branched perfluoroalkyl chain C.sub.n F.sub.2n+1 -- where n is 1 to 20, and R and R' are identical or different alkyl radicals, followed by distillation, in the presence of solid alkali metal hydroxide, of the resulting acetylenic alcohol obtained to produce a true acetylene hydrocarbon of the formula R.sub.F --C.tbd.CH. The acetylene hydrocarbons are useful for forming compounds having the ability to carry gases such as oxygen for biological purposes.

Abstract: The process for the addition of iodoperfluoroalkanes of the formula CF.sub.3 (CF.sub.2).sub.n I, in which n is an integer from 1 to 19, onto ethylenic or acetylenic compounds, by electrocatalysis of the mixture of reactants.

Abstract: The process for the preparation of iodoalcohols having a perfluoroalkyl chain by the reaction of iodoperfluoroalkanes with unsaturated alcohols, in which the reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalyst pair selected from mercurous iodide/mercuric iodide, mercurous acetate/mercuric iodide, or manganous acetylacetonate/manganic acetylacetonate.

Abstract: A process for the chemical catalytic hydrolysis of an .alpha.-aminonitrile or of one of the salts thereof, characterized in that an aqueous solution containing at least one carbonyl derivative is reacted with the said .alpha.-amine nitrile or with one of the salts thereof in the presence of hydroxide ions.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of derivatives of perfluoroalkanecarboxylic acids and perfluoroalkanesulphinic acids by reacting a perfluoroalkylhalide having the general formula R.sub.F X, in which X represents an atom of chlorine, bromine, or iodine, and R.sub.F represents an unbranched or branched perfluorinated chain containing from 2 to 12 carbon atoms; with CO.sub.2 or SO.sub.2 in a solvent medium and in the presence of activated or unactivated zinc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the process of preparing perfluoro functional compounds from a perfluorohalogenoalkane having the general formula:R.sub.F Xwherein R.sub.F is a saturated, unsaturated, straight, or branched chain perfluoroalkyl radical containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and X is selected from chlorine, bromine, or iodine, comprising reacting said perfluorohalogenoalkane with a functionalizing reagent in the presence of a metallic couple dispersed in a sulfoxide-type solvent, said metallic couple having the general formula:M.sub.1 /M.sub.2wherein M.sub.1 is metal selected from Group IB, IIA, IIB, or IIIA of the Periodic Table and M.sub.2 is a metal having an electrochemical potential such that it can be deposited on metal M.sub.1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of amides.This process for the preparation of an amide by hydrolysis of the corresponding nitrile is characterized in that the said nitrile in aqueous solution is subjected to the action of bacteria having a nitrilasic activity, in that the pH of the said aqueous solution is maintained at a value at least equal to the limiting pH of the amide hydrolysis reaction, and in that the bacteria mass is separated from the amide solution.This process is useful in particular for the preparation of acrylamides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of organic acids by biologically hydrolysing the corresponding nitriles.This process is distinguished by the fact that the nitrile in aqueous solution is subjected to the action of bacteria showing nitrilasic activity, preferably selected from the species: Bacillus, Bacteridium as defined by Prevot, Micrococcus and Brevibacterium as defined by Bergey.The process according to the invention can be used in particular for the production of racemic lactic acid.