Abstract: The regioselective and chemoselective hydrolysis of an .alpha.-ester group of an amino acid diester using pig liver esterase enzyme (PLE) is disclosed. The amino acid diesters may be either N-protected or unprotected and the diester groups may be the same or different. In particular, the preparation of a number of .gamma.-ester glutamates and .beta.-ester aspartates are provided.

Abstract: The invention is an improved method for the preparation of tertiary phosphines by way of cross-coupling of aryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl or aralkyl halides or aryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl or aralkyl sulfonate esters with chlorophosphines in the presence of a catalyst and a reductant. The general reaction scheme is shown below: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is aryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl or aralkyl, any of which may be substituted by one or more of the following: alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, chloro, fluoro, alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, cycloalkyl, or CONR.sup.4 R.sup.5 wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently aryl, alkyl, aralkyl, any of which may be substituted by one or more of the following: alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, chloro, fluoro, alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, cycloalkyl or CONR.sup.4 R.sup.5 wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; and n is 2 where R.

Abstract: The invention is an improved method for the preparation of tertiary phosphines by way of cross-coupling of aryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl or aralkyl halides or aryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl or aralkyl sulfonate esters with chlorophosphines in the presence of a catalyst and a reductant. The general reaction scheme is shown below: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is aryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl or aralkyl, any of which may be substituted by one or more of the following: alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, chloro, fluoro, alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, cycloalkyl, or CONR.sup.4 R.sup.5 wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently aryl, alkyl, aralkyl, any of which may be substituted by one or more of the following: alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, chloro, fluoro, alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, cycloalkyl or CoNR.sup.4 R.sup.5 wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; and n is 2 where R.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde from 3,3-dimethylbutanol using an oxidizing component. In one embodiment, 3,3-dimethylbutanol is oxidized to 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde in the vapor phase by contacting it with an oxidizing metal oxide compound. In another embodiment, the oxidation of 3,3-dimethylbutanol is carried out by treating it with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy, free radical and an oxidizing agent in a solvent to produce 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde. The method of this invention provides a commercially practicable means of preparing 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde.

Abstract: The regioselective and chemoselective hydrolysis of an .alpha.-ester group of an amino acid diester using pig liver esterase enzyme (PLE) is disclosed. The amino acid diesters may be either N-protected or unprotected and the diester groups may be the same or different. In particular, the preparation of a number of .gamma.-ester glutamates and .beta.-ester aspartates are provided.