Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a method which not only maintains the nitrile hydratase activity of a nitrile hydratase-containing cell or a treated material of the cell under conditions where the cell does not grow, but also improves the nitrile hydratase activity of a nitrile hydratase-containing cell or a treated material of the cell whose activity was once reduced. This invention relates to a method of maintaining or improving a nitrile hydratase activity which comprises bringing a nitrile hydratase-containing cell or a treated material of the cell into contact with an oxidizing agent under conditions where the cell does not grow, as well as a method of producing an amide compound from a nitrile compound, which comprises using the cell brought into contact with an oxidizing agent or a treated material of the cell.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical material being excellent in balance between the heat resistance, Abbe number and refractive index by providing a compound represented by the general formula (1): in the formula, k and n representing integers of 0 to 2 and 0 to 1, respectively, with the proviso that k and n are not simultaneously zero, and k=0 meaning that —(CH2)k- is not included in the formula.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical material being excellent in balance between the heat resistance, Abbe number and refractive index by providing a compound represented by the general formula (1): in the formula, k and n representing integers of 0 to 2 and 0 to 1, respectively, with the proviso that k and n are not simultaneously zero, and k=0 meaning that —(CH2)k- is not included in the formula.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a method which not only maintains the nitrile hydratase activity of a nitrile hydratase-containing cell or a treated material of the cell under conditions where the cell does not grow, but also improves the nitrile hydratase activity of a nitrile hydratase-containing cell or a treated material of the cell whose activity was once reduced. This invention relates to a method of maintaining or improving a nitrile hydratase activity which comprises bringing a nitrile hydratase-containing cell or a treated material of the cell into contact with an oxidizing agent under conditions where the cell does not grow, as well as a method of producing an amide compound from a nitrile compound, which comprises using the cell brought into contact with an oxidizing agent or a treated material of the cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing norbornane dimethylene amines wherein norbornane dicarbonitriles are hydrogenated by using a Raney cobalt catalyst containing manganese etc. in the presence of water in an amount of 0.1 to 1.5 moles per mole of the norbornane dicarbonitriles.

Abstract: In a process for preparing a Diels-Alder addition product of a conjugated diolefin and acrylonitrile by reacting the conjugated diolefin with acrylonitrile, a vessel type reactor is used. The pressure of the gaseous phase in the reactor is increased by using an inert gas in the reaction. A premixed solution of the conjugated diolefin or a compound which produces the conjugated diolefin in the reactor and acrylonitrile is released through an upper portion of the reactor into the gaseous phase and then dropped into a liquid phase to react. A reaction product is taken out through a lower portion of the reactor. The process can be carried out continuously in a safe manner over an extended period of time without any adhesion of an insoluble polymer to the reactor or to the inlet or outlet pipes, and without sudden pressure fluctuations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for preparing epichlorohydrins by reacting allyl chlorides with an alkyl hydroperoxide in the presence of a modified catalyst formed by substituting specific substituents for 1 to 50% of the silanol groups of a catalyst having titanium atoms bound to a silicon dioxide carrier via oxygen atoms and having on the same carrier 1 to 6 silanol groups per square nanometer thereof.

Abstract: In order to recover methacrolein and/or methacrylic acid by quenching a reaction product gas obtained by catalytic oxidation of isobutylene or the like, the reaction product gas is charged into a quench column through a double-wall pipe and is then brought into contact with a condensate as a cooling medium. Deposition of terephthalic acid and the like inside the column is prevented by controlling the temperature of a bottom in the quench column and that of an overhead gas of a quench column unit. An aromatic carboxylic acid, aromatic aldehyde, metal powder is added to an aqueous solution of methacrylic acid, which contains terephthalic acid and the like, so that the terephthalic acid and the like are caused to precipitate for their removal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preparing epichlorohydrins by epoxidizing allyl chlorides with an organic hydroperoxide, and the epoxidation reaction is performed in the presence of a catalyst having titanium atoms bound to a silicon dioxide carrier and having silanol groups on the same carrier, whereby epichlorohydrins are obtained in high yield.