Abstract: The present invention describes a process for preparing an enol ester of a 4-halo-butyraldehyde which comprises contacting a cyclopropane carboxaldehyde (CPCA) and a carboxylic acid halide in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst. In addition, the present invention relates to a process for preparing an acetal of a 4-halo-butyraldehyde which comprises contacting an enol ester of a 4-halo-butyraldehyde, prepared according to the present invention, with an alcohol in the presence of a certain acid catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to copolymers of norbornene and functional group containing norbornene comonomers and processes for the preparation thereof. These polymers may be random, alternating or block copolymers or terpolymers, etc. In general, the present invention describes a polymer composition of the formula: [A]S— and —[B]T wherein A is monomer repeat unit derived from one or more norbornene or substituted norbornene monomers and B is a monomer repeat unit derived from one or more functionalized norbornene compounds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to copolymers of norbornene and functional group containing norbornene comonomers and processes for the preparation thereof. These polymers may be random, alternating or block copolymers or terpolymers, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to copolymers of norbornene and functional group containing norbornene comonomers and processes for the preparation thereof. These polymers may be random, alternating or block copolymers or terpolymers, etc. In general, the present invention describes a polymer composition of the formula: [A]S— and —[B]T wherein A is monomer repeat unit derived from one or more norbornene or substituted norbornene monomers and B is a monomer repeat unit derived from one or more functionalized norbornene compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for producing tocopherol compounds of the Vitamin E family by reduction of various 4-chromanone trienol materials. In preferred embodiments the invention provides methods of preparing and hydrogenating 4-chromanone trienols to provide gamma-tocopherol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation and recovery of cyclopropylacetonitrile by a novel combination of process steps beginning with a mixture of cyclopropylmethyl halide, a cyclobutyl halide and a 4-halo-1-butene. The process permits the recovery of substantially pure cyclopropylacetonitrile and cyclobutyl halide, e.g., cyclopropylacetonitrile and cyclobutyl halide each having a purity greater than about 95%.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for producing phytol, isophytol, and certain phytol derivatives by a method of oxidizing or epoxidizing geranylgeraniol or geranylgeraniol derivatives to form epoxygeranylgeraniol derivatives, reducing or hydrogenating the epoxygeranylgeraniol derivatives to produce epoxyphytol derivatives, and then deoxygenating the epoxyphytol derivatives to produce phytol, isophytol, phytene derivatives, isophytene derivatives, or mixtures thereof. The step of deoxygenating is carried out in the presence of deoxygenation catalysts, including rhenium trioxide compounds. The invention also provides methods for the synthesis of certain novel substituted epoxyphytyl compounds and substituted phytene compounds having removable protecting groups.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for upgrading paper-grade wood pulp to dissolving grade pulp which is suitable for use in the preparation of viscose rayon, cellulose ethers and cellulose esters such as cellulose acetate. The process utilizes a sequence of caustic extraction, xylanase treatment and caustic extraction to remove most of the xylan, which may be recovered for use in the production of xylose, xylitol, and furans.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparing conjugated dienes using certain substituted rhenium compounds as catalysts. The substituted rhenium compounds have the formula R.sub.5 ReO.sub.3, wherein R.sub.5 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, aryl, aryl-C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, cyclopentadienyl and cyclopentadienyl substituted with one to four C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups. The process of the invention thus provides a facile method for preparing conjugated dienes using the corresponding tertiary vinyl alcohol as starting material. Examples of such starting materials includes phytols, manool, 5-vinyl-5-nonanol, 1-vinyl4-tert-butylcyclohexanol, and 1-vinylcyclooctanol. The process can be carried out neat as well as in an inert solvent in the gas or solution phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is are the palmitate, stearate and 4-phenylbenzoate esters of D-.gamma.-tocotrienol which are the only known derivatives of D-.gamma.-tocotrienol which are crystalline solids and, therefore, may be utilized in the isolation and purification of D-.gamma.-tocotrienol by crystallization and recrystallization procedures.