Abstract: This invention provides an improved process for producing azetidinones. More particularly, this invention provides the steps of producing an trans-azetidinone represented by the formula ##STR1## from a carboxylic acid R.sup.2 --D--CH.sub.2 COOH, an aldehyde R.sup.1 --A--CHO and an amine RNH.sub.2, by the steps of: (a1) converting a carboxylic acid to the corresponding acid chloride; (b1) deprotonating a chiral oxazolidinone and treating the resulting anion with the product of step (a1); (c1) enolizing the product of step (b1) and condensing with the aldehyde; (d1) hydrolyzing the product of step (c1); (e1) condensing the product of step (d1) with the amine; and (f1) cyclizing the product of step (e1). Alternatively, the process comprises (a2) enolizing the product of step (b1) and condensing, in the presence of a Lewis acid, with a Schiff's base prepared from the aldehyde and the amine; and (b2) cyclizing the product of step (a2).

Abstract: Process for the catalytic oxidation of a saturated hydrocarbon to obtain a ketone which involves carrying out the oxidation simultaneously with the oxidation of H.sub.2 S to form elemental sulfur and the ketone.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compositions for use in pharmaceutical and veterinary medicine which contain 1.alpha.-hydroxy vitamin D compounds. Particular compositions are described which contain steroids which induce or assist in combatting osteoporosis together with 1.alpha.-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.3 or 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxy vitamin D.sub.3. Methods of treatment of diseases are also provided including many which are resistant to vitamin D.sub.3, in particular bone diseases.

Abstract: Preparation of a methyl ketone intermediate useful in the synthesis of (-)-dodecahydro-3a,6,6, 9a-tetramethyl-naphtho(2,1-b) furan by subjecting (-)-sclareol to ozonolysis in the presence of iodine or iodine-containing compound. The intermediate can be converted to (-)-dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl-naphtho(2,1-b) furan by Baeyer-Villiger oxidation followed by reduction of the resulting product in the presence of a Lewis acid.

Abstract: Synthesis of (-)-dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl-naphtho(2,1-b)furan from sclareol in a three-stage process.

Abstract: A compound selected from the group consisting of 3,5-diphenyl- and substituted 3,5-diphenyl-1-hydroxy-1,2-dihydroimidazole-2-thiones, and combinations thereof. Also disclosed is a process for producing the compound and an antimicrobial composition comprising the compound and at least one component selected from the group consisting of soaps, shampoos, skin care medicaments, cosmetics and paints.

Abstract: Novel 23-dihydro-oxazolyl steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the A, B, C and D rings may contain 1 to 3 double bonds and may be optionally substituted with one or more members of the group consisting of --OH, protected hydroxyl, .dbd.0, protected keto, halogen alkyl or alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms and the dotted line indicates the optional presence of a second bond useful for the preparation of 20-keto-pregnanes and novel intermediates.

Abstract: The invention provides novel 1.alpha.-hydroxy vitamin D compounds and a method for their preparation from 1.alpha.-hydroxy-25-hydrogen cholesta-5,7-dienes by irradiation and isomerization techniques. The invention also includes the said 1.alpha.-hydroxy-25-hydrogen-cholesta-5,7-dienes and the corresponding cholest-5-enes.The new compounds may be obtained in a crystalline form substantially free from isomeric or other impurities arising from manufacture.

Abstract: Process for the formation of carbon-containing free radicals R., which optionally include functional groups, wherein thermal and/or photochemical energy is supplied to a thiocarbonyl-containing ester corresponding to the general formula (I): ##STR1## in which: R denotes a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, aliphatic or aromatic, acyclic or alternatively mono- or poly-cyclic or mono- or poly-heterocyclic, carbon-containing radical which in addition can optionally include functional groups;R' and R" denote, independently of each other, an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl radical, or alternatively form together a 5- or 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycle which can also contain an additional heteroatom chosen from nitrogen and sulfur and which can optionally be substituted or fused to at least one other aliphatic or aromatic ring;R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 denote, independently of each other, a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl radical, andn is an integer equal to 0, 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: Optical filter agents and photographic products and processes using same are disclosed. The optical filter agents are pH-sensitive hydrazone compounds conforming to the following structural formula: ##STR1## where R is any group which can provide a double bond for conjugation with the ##STR2## portion of the compound to provide light-absorbing capability or color for the agent at a pH above its pKa, X is a substituent of R providing at least one electron-withdrawing group and each R' can be defined as any substituent that does not impair the light-absorbing capacity of the compound at a pH above the pKa thereof. The pH-sensitive optical filter agents have a highly colored light-absorbing form at a pH above the pKa and are substantially non-absorbing at a pH below the pKa. The pH-sensitive optical filter agents are useful in photographic film units and processes for the protection of photoexposed photosensitive elements against the occurrence of fogging during in-light development.

Abstract: Thiocarbamoyl-guanidine derivatives having herbicide activity are disclosed.The process for their preparation and their use as herbicides are disclosed too.

Abstract: Novel 20-isocyano-.DELTA..sup.17(20) -steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of (1) hydrogen, (2) alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionally substituted with a member of the group consisting of halogen, an oxygen function and a nitrogen function and (3) alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, Alk.sub.1, is alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms and the A,B,C, and D rings may contain one or more double bonds and may be optionally substituted with at least one member of the group consisting of --OH, .dbd.0, halogens, alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms and a process for their preparation and their use to prepare 17.alpha.-ol-20-keto steroids.

Abstract: A novel nitromethylation composition comprising nitromethane and a catalytic amount of a bifunctional basic catalyst, optionally in an organic solvent, a method of nitromethylating ketonic compounds with said compositions and novel steroids of the formulae ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionally substituted with an oxygen or nitrogen group or halogen and alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and the A,B,C and D rings optionally contain at least one double bond and optionally substituted with at least one member of the group consisting of --OH, .dbd.0, halogen, alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms and their use to form the corresponding 21-acetoxy-20-ketocorticosteroids compounds in a simple manner.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.1, R.sub.1 ', R.sub.2, R.sub.2 ' and R.sub.3 independently represent a C.sub.1-6 alkyl radical, in addition to which R.sub.3 may represent a hydrogen atom, the alkyl radicals together containing in all at least 8 carbon atoms, are provided for use as highly sterically hindered bases in chemical syntheses.

Abstract: Polymeric optical filter agents and photographic products and processes using same are disclosed. The polymeric optical filter agents are pH-sensitive optical filter agents comprising polymeric backbone units having the following hydrazone moiety: ##STR1## where R is a group which can provide a double bond for conjugation with the ##STR2## portion of the moiety to provide light-absorbing capability for the agent at a pH above its pKa, and X represents a substituent of R providing at least one electron-withdrawing group. The polymeric pH-sensitive optical filter agents have a highly colored light-absorbing form at a pH above the pKa and are substantially non-absorbing at a pH below the pKa. The polymeric optical filter agents are useful in photographic film units and processes for the protection of photoexposed photosenstive elements against the occurence of fogging during in-light development.

Abstract: Derivatives of selenium as dehydrogenation agents employed in the presence of an oxidation agent consisting of oxidized derivatives of possibly substiuted iodoaromatic compounds, particularly where the derivatives of selenium are employed in catalytic amounts; as well as a process of dehydrogenation 3-oxygenated steroids into the corresponding 3-oxygenated .DELTA..sup.1,4 steroids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of telluroxides as mild and selective oxidizing agents serving to oxidize certain functions, notably >C.dbd.S groups, in the presence of other relatively easily oxidized functions which remain unaffected; telluroxides of interest as oxidizing agents include, for example, compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1, which may be the same or different, each represent an optionally substituted aryl or heterocyclic group; or R and R.sup.1 together with the tellurium atom therebetween represent a heterocyclic ring, which may contain one or more further heteroatoms, and which may carry substituents and/or fused aromatic rings.

Abstract: Dialkyl-substituted .beta.-resorcylic acid esters having the structure: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 is lower alkyl may be readily prepared by reacting the corresponding dihydroresorcylic acid esters with sulfuryl chloride. These compounds, particularly, methyl 3,6-dimethyl-resorcylate and methyl 3-ethyl-6-methyl-resorcylate, have oakmoss-like odors rendering them valuable as perfume ingredients.

Abstract: Optical filter agents and photographic products and processes using same are disclosed. The optical filter agents are pH-sensitive hydrazone compounds conforming to the following structural formula: ##STR1## where R is any group which can provide a double bond for conjugation with the ##STR2## portion of the compound to provide light-absorbing capability or color for the agent at a pH above its pKa, X is a substituent of R providing at least one electron-withdrawing group and each R' can be defined as any substituent that does not impair the light-absorbing capacity of the compound at a pH above the pKa thereof. The pH-sensitive optical filter agents have a highly colored light-absorbing form at a pH above the pKa and are substantially non-absorbing at a pH below the pKa. The pH-sensitive optical filter agents are useful in photographic film units and processes for the protection of photoexposed photosensitive elements against the occurence of fogging during in-light development.

Abstract: Saturated organic compounds containing a hydrogen atom bound to a tertiary carbon atom may be electrophilically fluorinated by reaction with an electrophilic fluorinating agent such as molecular fluorine or trifluoromethyl hypofluorite under conditions whereby the formation of free fluorine radicals is suppressed, e.g. by the presence of a free radical inhibitor such as oxygen or nitrobenzene, the reactants being substantially homogeneously dispersed in a liquid medium, e.g. a solvent medium such as fluorotrichloromethane or chloroform/fluorotrichloromethane, so that the said hydrogen atom is electrophilically replaced by a fluorine atom. The fluorination is highly selective and, in the case of complex substrates such as saturated steroids which contain a number of tertiary C--H bonds, may be substantially completely confined to replacement of the hydrogen atom at the tertiary carbon atom which has the highest electron density about the C--H bond.