Abstract: A free-flowing hydrated sodium salt of ibuprofen of controlled median particle size and water content is provided. It can be produced by adding aqueous NaOH to a non-boiling solution or slurry of ibuprofen in an organic solvent that can be distilled along with water at a temperature in the range of 50 to 120° C. The rate of NaOH addition is at a rate that does not cause the resultant reaction mixture to boil before the addition has been completed. After completing the addition, the water is removed with some of the organic solvent by distillation. After cooling, the hydrated sodium salt of ibuprofen is recovered from the resultant slurry. The process enables the median particle size of the sodium salt of ibuprofen formed to be controlled by selection and use of a predetermined effective concentration of NaOH in the aqueous NaOH solution used.

Abstract: Emulsion formation is minimized or prevented and hydrolytic product degradation is suppressed during purification of impure bisphenol-A bis(diphenylphosphate). This is accomplished by forming a hydrocarbon solution of bisphenol-A bis(diphenylphosphate) plus impurities in a solvent comprising at least one aromatic hydrocarbon and at least one paraffinic hydrocarbon. Optionally, but preferably, this solution is washed with water or an aqueous buffer solution. Next, the hydrocarbon solution is washed one or more times with an aqueous alkaline washing solution that has a specific gravity that differs from the specific gravity of the hydrocarbon solution by at least about 0.05 gram per cubic centimeter. After each washing the mixture settles into a purified organic phase and a separate aqueous phase, and these phases are separated from each other.

Abstract: A highly efficient method for enriching the chiral purity of a partially enriched mixture of enantiomers of an optically active compound, a major portion of the partially enriched mixture of enantiomers comprising a first enantiomer of the optically active compound, a minor portion of the partially enriched mixture of enantiomers comprising a second enantiomer of the optically active compound. The method comprises mixing an acid in whatever form it may exist in solution with an aqueous solution of the partially enriched mixture of enantiomers, in whatever form the partially enriched mixture of enantiomers may exist in solution, to form a reaction mass comprising a further enriched mixture of enantiomers of the optically active compound, the further enriched mixture of enantiomers having a higher percentage of the first enantiomer than the partially enriched mixture. The optically active compound has the formula:R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 CCOOZwhere R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.

Abstract: Novel and very useful forms of sodium (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionate are provided. These forms are sodium (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionate monohydrate having an average particle size significantly larger than about 70 microns--the size of conventional sodium (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionate--and a chiral purity of at least 98% (S)-enantiomer. Process technology enabling the production of such novel products is also described. The provision of such novel products makes possible significant improvements in processing time, plant capacity and product handling operations.

Abstract: Sodium (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionate of at least 99% chiral purity is formed from (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionic acid having a chiral purity of at least about 82%, but below 99%. This is done by distilling a two-phase mixture formed from (i) the (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionic acid, (ii) water, (iii) sodium hydroxide, sodium oxide and/or at least one basic inorganic sodium salt in an amount proportioned to neutralize from about 50 to about 99% of said acid, and optionally but preferably, (iv) an inert organic solvent that has a boiling point of at least 95.degree. C. at 760 mm Hg such that water is removed from said mixture, and a pot residue containing sodium (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionate of at least 99% chiral purity is formed.

Abstract: Optically active carboxylic acids, salts or esters, such as the profen-type compounds, are racemized in the presence by nitrogenous bases such as methylbenzylamine by heating an aqueous solution of such optically active compounds in the presence of a suitable excess of an alkali metal hydroxide relative to the amount optically active carboxylic compound present in the solution. The process not only enables conversion of inactive or undesirable enantiomers of compounds such as naproxen or ibuprofen into a usable, desirable enantiomers in an efficient and economical manner, but avoids conversion of the nitrogenous base into amide. Thus the deleterious consequences of amide formation are avoided.