Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing an amide, which comprises reacting an amine with an ester in a molten form in the absence of a solvent.

Abstract: A process for preparing optically active allylic alcohol derivatives comprises reacting a racemic mixture of the following formula I ##STR1## wherein R is alkyl, alkenyl, or substituted or unsubstituted aryl or arylalkyl;with acetate or anhydride under the catalysis of Pseudomonase AK, PS or K-10 lipase in the presence of an organic solvent.

Abstract: A process of preparing 2-cyano-3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxypyridine. The process includes the steps of: acylating 2-methyl-1-penten-1-alkoxy-3-one to obtain 2-alkoxycarbonyl-3,5-dimethyl-4-pyrone; ammonolyzing 2-alkoxycarbonyl-3,5-dimethyl-4-pyrone to obtain 2-carboxamido-3,5-dimethyl-4(1H)-pyridone; methylating 2-carboxamido-3,5-dimethyl-4(1H)-pyridone to obtain 2-carboxamido-3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxypyridine; and dehydrating said 2-carboxamido-3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxypyridone to obtain 2-cyano-3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxypyridine.

Abstract: A process of preparing 2-hydroxymethyl-3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxypyridine including the steps of acylating 2-methyl-1-penten-1-alkoxy-3-one to obtain 2-alkoxycarbonyl-3,5-dimethyl-4-pyrone; ammonolyzing 2-alkoxycarbonyl-3,5-dimethyl-4-pyrone to obtain 2-alkoxycarbonyl-3,5-dimethyl-4(1H)-pyridone; halogenating 2-alkoxycarbonyl-3,5-dimethyl-4(1H)-pyridone to obtain 2-alkoxycarbonyl-4-halo-3,5-dimethylpyridine; methoxylating 2-alkoxycarbonyl-4-halo-3,5-dimethylpyridine to obtain 2-methoxycarbonyl-3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxypyridine; and reducing 2-methoxycarbonyl-3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxypyridine to obtain 2-hydroxymethyl-3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxypyridine.

Abstract: A number of novel peracid precursors each have the general structure: ##STR1## wherein: Z is a leaving group, the conjugate acid of the leaving group being in the range of from about 4 to 15; R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group having from about 1 to 18 carbon atoms; and M is hydrogen or an alkali or alkaline earth metal. A method is also disclosed for synthesizing a product as represented above wherein succinic anhydride, including an R constituent as defined above is dissolved in a water-miscible, non-nucleophilic solvent and an acid including a Z constituent as defined above is neutralized and deprotonated to form a nucleophile, the substituted anhydride and the nucleophile being combined to form the product. The product is a component in a dry bleach product, optionally including other adjuncts.

Abstract: A number of novel peracid precursors each have the general structure: ##STR1## wherein: Z is a leaving group, the conjugate acid of the leaving group being in the range of from about 4 to 15; R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group having from about 1 to 18 carbon atoms; and M is hydrogen or an alkali or alkaline earth metal. A method is also disclosed for synthesizing a product as represented above wherein succinic anhydride, including an R constituent as defined above is dissolved in a water-miscible, non-nucleophilic solvent and an acid including a Z constituent as defined above is neutralized and deprotonated to form a nucleophile, the substituted anhydride and the nucleophile being combined to form the product. The product is a component in a dry bleach product, optionally including other adjuncts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for synthesizing surface active peroxyacid bleaching agents and compositions which are named .alpha. or .beta. alkyl monoperoxysuccinic acids and have the general structure ##STR1## wherein R is an unsubstituted or substituted straight chain alkyl of 6 to 16 carbon atoms, unsubstituted or substituted branched chain alkyl of 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group substituted with one or more of H, alkyl of 1 to 14 carbon atoms, F, Cl, NO.sub.3, OSO.sub.3 M, SO.sub.3 M, or COOM, and M is further defined as H, an alkali metal or ammonium cation.The invention provides a novel process for synthesizing these alkyl monoperoxysuccinic acids which is relatively inexpensive, high yielding, and safe.The bleaching compositions are useful for bleaching fabrics and other laundering purposes. The bleaching compositions of the invention may also contain peroxyacid stabilizers, builders, fillers, and surfactants.