Abstract: A process for the manufacture of the calcium salt of (E)-7-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-[methyl(methylsulfonyl)amino]pyrimidin-5-yl](3R,5S)3,5-dihydroxyhept-6-enoic acid, useful as an HMGCoA reductase inhibitor, from a compound of the formula (7) wherein A is an acetal or ketal protecting group and R is alkyl, via isolated crystalline compounds of the formula (8) or of formula (10) is described. Crystalline intermediates of formulae 7, 8 and 10 are also described.

Abstract: A process for preparing an intermediate compound of formula (II) where X is as defined in the specification, R1 is haloalkyl, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, carboxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, aryl or arylalkyl; R2, R3, R4 and R5 are organic groups as defined in the specification, which process comprises aromatisation of a compound of formula (III) where R1, R2, R3, n, X and R5 are as defined in relation to formula (II) and R4? is a group R4 or a precursor group thereof, and thereafter if necessary or desired, carrying out one or more of the following steps: (i) removing any hydroxy-protecting groups R; (ii) converting a precursor group R4? to a group R4, or where R4? is a group R4, converting it to a different such group. Compounds obtained are useful intermediates for example in the preparation of fulvestrant. Novel intermediates are also claimed.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions based on amorphous partially dehydrated zirconium hydroxide which are doped with from 0.01 to 20 atom percent of copper and/or from 0.01 to 20 atom percent of nickel, in each case based on zirconium, and have a specific surface area by the BET method of at least 50 m.sup.2 /g. The catalyst compositions are suitable, in particular, as the catalyst in hydrogen transfer reactions, such as, the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction or the Oppenauer oxidation. The preparation of 3-hydroxyquinuclidine of the formula: ##STR1## involves reaction of quinuclidin-3-one with a secondary alcohol in the presence of the amorphous partially dehydrated zirconium hydroxide.

Abstract: Process for the production of 4-hydroxy-2-oxoyrrolidin-1-yl-acetamide, a cerebrally active pharmaceutical agent. A 4-halo-3-alkoxy-butenoic acid ester is reacted with glycine to new intermediate products of the formula: ##STR1## There is further by acid hydrolysis of the alkoxy group, subsequent hydrogenation, esterification of the carboxyl function and finally conversion to the end product by reaction with ammonia.

Abstract: A novel process the preparation of pentaalkylchromenes of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R denotes a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 C atoms and R.sub.1 denotes a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 C atoms, by halogen or by a nitro group, or an alkanoyl group having 1 to 4 C atoms. In the process, a trialkylhydroquinone is reacted with a halogenated butenol to give a substituted tetraalkyhydroquinone, which is oxidized. Then the halogen atom is substituted with a suitable nucleophile and the compound is finally cyclized to give the final product. The pentaalkylchromenes are suitable intermediates for the preparation of hypolipidaemic pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A process for the production of substituted vinylbenzenes of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 C atoms, R.sub.1 is hydrogen or an acetyl group and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 C atoms or a benzyl group. A trialkylhydroquinone is cyclized with an aldehyde to an acetal and the latter is pyrolized to the end product. The substituted vinylbenzenes are valuable intermediate products in the synthesis of antioxidants.

Abstract: The substituted pentaalkylchromans of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R denotes a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 C atoms and Hal denotes chlorine, bromine or iodine, are novel intermediates for the preparation of hypolipidaemic pharmaceuticals. A process for their preparation is described in which a trialkylhydroquinone is reacted with a halogenated butenol to give a substituted tetraalkylhydroquinone, which is finally cyclized to the final product.

Abstract: The substituted pentaalkylchromans of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R denotes a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 C atoms and Hal denotes chlorine, bromine or iodine, are novel intermediates for the preparation of hypolipidaemic pharmaceuticals. A process for their preparation is described in which a trialkylhydroquinone is reacted with a halogenated butenol to give a substituted tetraalkylhydroquinone, which is finally cyclized to the final product.

Abstract: A novel process for the preparation of pentaalkylchromenes of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R denotes a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 C atoms and R.sub.1 denotes a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 C atoms, by halogen or by a nitro group, or an alkanoyl group having 1 to 4 C atoms. In the process, a trialkylhydroquinone is reacted with a halogenated butenol to give a substituted tetraalkyhydroquinone, which is oxidized. Then the halogen atom is substituted with a suitable nucleophile and the compound is finally cyclized to give the final product. The pentaalkylchromenes are suitable intermediates for the preparation of hypolipidaemic pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A process for the production of substituted vinylbenzenes of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 C atoms, R.sub.1 is hydrogen or an acetyl group and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 C atoms or a benzyl group. A trialkylhydroquinone is cyclized with an aldehyde to an acetal and the latter is pyrolized to the end product. The substituted vinylbenzenes are valuable intermediate products in the synthesis of antioxidants.

Abstract: Process for the production of 4-hydroxy-2-oxoyrrolidin-1-yl-acetamide, a cerebrally active pharmaceutical agent. A 4-halo-3-alkoxy-butenoic acid ester is reacted with glycine to new intermediate products of the formula: ##STR1## There is further by acid hydrolysis of the alkoxy group, subsequent hydrogenation, esterification of the carboxyl function and finally conversion to the end product by reaction with ammonia.

Abstract: A process for the production of substituted vinylbenzenes of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 C atoms, R.sub.1 is hydrogen or an acetyl group and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 C atoms or a benzyl group. A trialkylhydroquinone is cyclized with an aldehyde to an acetal and the latter is pyrolized to the endproduct. The substituted vinylbenzenes are valuable intermediate products in the synthesis of antioxidants.

Abstract: Threo-4-alkoxy-5-(arylhydroxymethyl)-2(5H)-furanones are obtained by condensation of 4-alkoxy-2(5H)-furanones with benzaldehydes in the presence of lithium hydroxide without contamination by the corresponding erythro stereoisomers. The condensation is preferably performed in aqueous acetonitrile and the product is precipitated from the alkaline reaction mixture by the addition of water. The products that can be produced according to the process of the invention are known pharmaceutical active ingredients with anticonvulsive or antiepileptic action.