Abstract: A novel glycerol derivative, a process for preparing the same, and a process for preparing a triazole derivative. An optically active 2-arylglycerol derivative which is novel and useful as a synthetic intermediate of medicament is provided, and furthermore, (R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)-propane-1,2-diol, which is useful as an antifungal agent, is prepared.

Abstract: The present invention provides an economically advantageous and efficient process for producing an optically active homophenylalanine derivative of the general formula (IV), and an intermediate therefor and a process for producing it. The present invention relates to a process for producing homophenylalanine derivative of the general formula (IV) which comprises reacting a .beta.-benzoylacrylic acid derivative of the general formula (II) with a 1-arylethylamine derivative of the general formula (III) and reducing the resultant .gamma.-oxo-homophenylalanine derivative of the general formula (I).

Abstract: A novel glycerol derivative, a process for preparing the same, and a process for preparing a triazole derivative. An optically active 2-arylglycerol derivative which is novel and useful as a synthetic intermediate of medicament is provided, and furthermore, (R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)-propane-1,2-diol, which is useful as an antifungal agent, is prepared.

Abstract: The invention provides an efficient process for producing a 2-substituted optically active 2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-one comprising subjecting an aldehyde, which is not bulky and cannot be expected an electronic interaction with a catalyst, such as acetaldehyde, and a Danishefsky diene to a highly enantio-selective asymmetric hetero Diels-Alder reaction in the presence of an asymmetric catalyst readily obtainable from inexpensive starting materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel glycerol derivative and a process for preparing the same, and a process for preparing a triazole derivative.According to the present invention, an optical active 2-arylglycerol derivative which is a novel and useful as a synthetic intermediate of medicament can be provided and furthermore, (R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)-propane-1,2-diol which is useful as an antifungal agent can be prepared.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a safe method of commercially producing optically active aminoalcohol derivatives, which serve as intermediates for the synthesis of medicinal chemicals such as the immunopotentiating anticancer agent bestatin, in a simple and easy manner in high yields and with high levels of selectivity.The present invention consists in a method of producing 3-amino-1-nitro-4-phenyl-2-butanol derivatives of the general formula (1) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an amino group protecting group, and a method of producing 3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid derivatives derivable therefrom.

Abstract: A process for preparing 5,6-dihydro-4-hydroxy-(S)-6-methyl-thieno[2,3-b]thiopyran-7,7-dioxide having the formula (II): ##STR1## which comprises subjecting 5,6-dihydro-4-oxo-(S)-6-methyl-thieno[2,3-b]thiopyran-7,7-dioxide having the formula (I): ##STR2## to the action of a microorganism to reduce the thienothiopyran derivative having the formula (I), and collecting 5,6-dihydro-4-hydroxy-(S)-6-methyl-thieno-[2,3-b]thiopyran-7,7-dioxide having the formula (II) from the reaction mixture, wherein said microorganism belongs to the genus selected from the group consisting of Ambrosiozyma, Arthroascus, Ashbya, Candida, Cryptococcus, Hansenula, Kluyveromyces, Lipomyces, Lodderomyces, Metschnikowia, Pachysolen, Pichia, Rhodosporidium, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, Saccharomycopsis, Schwanniomyces, Sporidiobolus, Spolobolomyces, Stephanoascus, Trigonopsis, Trichosporon and Wingea, according to which, a simple and effective. process for preparing 5,6-dihydro-4-hydroxy-(S)-6-methyl-thieno-[2,3-b]thiopyran-7,7-dioxide.

Abstract: A method is proposed for manufacturing (-)-2-bromo-1-(3'-chlorophenyl) ethanol by bringing a 2-bromo-1-(3'-chlorophenyl) ethanone into contact with a microorganism belonging to 9 genuses including Ashbya genus and Brettanomycess genus to thereby reduce it asymmetrically into (-)-2-bromo-1-(3'-chlorophenyl) ethanol, and for manufacturing (-)-substituted styrene oxide by cyclizing the obtained alcohol under alkaline conditions. The (-)-substituted styrene oxide can be manufactured efficiently.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a separating and purifying (4R, 6R)-4-hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethyl cyclohexanone comprising the steps of:reacting a diastereomer mixture of (4R, 6R)-4-hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethyl cyclohexanone represented by the formula (I) ##STR1## and (4S, 6R)-4-hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethyl cyclohexanone represented by the formula (II) ##STR2## with a reagent which reacts with the hydroxyl groups at least equimolar to the compound represented by the formula (II) to thereby convert the compound represented by the formula (II) into (4S, 6R)-4-hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethyl cyclohexanone derivative represented by the formula (III) ##STR3## (where R represents a group modifying the hydroxyl group) by modification with priority of the hydroxyl group in the formula (II), andseparating the compound of the formula (I) from the compound of the formula (III) through the difference in solubility to water or an organic solvent.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of optically active 3-hydroxypyrrolidine derivatives is disclosed, which comprises the steps of: hydrolyzing a mixture of (R)- and (S)-N-benzyl-3-acyloxypyrrolidine by the use of microorganisms or enzymes with stereospecific esterase activity; and separating optically active N-benzyl-3-hydroxypyrrolidine and optically active N-benzyl-3-acyloxypyrrolidine from the hydrolysate obtained in the foregoing step.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing optically active (S)-1,2-diols, wherein (R)-1,2-diols represented by the general formula [I] ##STR1## (where: R represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, alkenyl group, aryl group or aralkyl group) or a mixture of diols of the general formula [I] and (S)-1,2-diols represented by the general formula [II] ##STR2## (Where: R represents the same as above) having an opposite configuration to the general formula [I] is subjected to the action of a microorganism capable of selectively metabolizing the diols of the general formula [I], or capable of converting the diols of the general formula [I] into the diols of the general formula [II], or having the both capabilities, and the formed and accumulated (S)-1,2-diols of the general formula [II] is collected. According to the present invention, optically active (S)-1,2-diols can be produced commercially and advantageously.

Abstract: A process for preparing 3-pyrrolidinol having the formula (II): ##STR1## or a salt thereof, which comprises reducing 4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyronitrile having the formula (I): ##STR2## to convert said 4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyronitrile (I) into said 3-pyrrolidinol (II). According to the present invention, 3-pyrrolidinol, particularly optically active 3-pyrrolidinol can be prepared economically and efficiently.

Abstract: A process for preparing optically active 2-halo-1-phenyl ethanol having the general formula [I*]: ##STR1## wherein X is a halogen atom, by asymmetrically reducing 2-halo-acetophenone having the general formula [II]: ##STR2## wherein X is as above, to give optically active 2-halo-1-phenyl ethanol, (R)-form or (S)-form, employing the microorganism. ##STR3## According to the present invention, optically active 2-halo-1-phenyl ethanol can be prepared with a good optical purity and yield in a simple process.

Abstract: A spindle apparatus is composed of a holding member to define a casing, a spindle shaft to support a rotor rotatably, a neck bearing disposed radially of the spindle shaft, a buffer disposed between the holding member and the neck bearing, an end bearing secured to the end of the holding member remote from the rotor, and a mechanism provided between the buffer and the end bearing for transmitting power from a source of power to the spindle shaft for rotating the shaft. This spindle, rotatable at a high speed without any substantial vibration or noise, is applicable to spinning machines, more particularly to an overhung rotor.

Abstract: A bearing device for high-speed rotary machines comprises a first rolling-element bearing having a retainer for holding constant spacing of rolling elements inserted between an inner race and an outer race thereof and also a second bearing for supporting the retainer of the first rolling-element bearing, thereby the retainer of the first rolling-element bearing is prevented from contacting with the inner race or the outer race.

Abstract: A process for preparing the optically active oxazolidinone derivative [(S)-I] by utilizing microorganisms or enzymes having a stereoselective esterase activity capable of asymmetrically hydrolyzing the racemates of the acyloxyoxazolidinone derivative [(R,S)-II], by separating the unreacted compound [(S)-II] from the hydrolyzed compound [(R)-I] and by hydrolyzing the compound [(S)-II]. The compounds are useful as intermediates for preparing optically active .beta.-adrenergic blocking agents.

Abstract: An active suspension apparatus detects a relative displacement (x) between an axle and a vehicle body, discriminates a road surface state in accordance with the relative displacement and a change rate (x) in unit time which is derived from the relative displacement (x), and optimally controls characteristics of damping forces of hydropneumatic suspensions in accordance with a discrimination result (i.e., a road surface state). This discrimination is performed in accordance with a sum (Ax+Bx) of a signal obtained by multiplying the relative displacement (x) with a predetermined coefficient and a signal obtained by multiplying the change rate (x) with another predetermined coefficient. These coefficients are obtained in accordance with riding comfort against vibrations. The characteristics of the damping force of the hydropneumatic suspension are controlled by controlling the opening of throttle valves disposed between hydropneumatic chambers and actuators.

Abstract: In a driving gear of a rotor type open end fine spinning machine, a rotation shaft of a spinning rotor and a drive shaft are connected through a speed multiplying mechanism, the spinning rotor facing to a fiber feed passage and a yarn taking passage is rotated at a multiplied speed by rotation driving of the drive shaft, a cover is installed to surround the spinning rotor and the rotation shaft thereof, an air passage is constituted so that air flow to guide fibers at the fiber feed passage into the spinning rotor passes through inside of the cover and is exhausted out of an exhaust port provided on the cover, and air flow passing through the air passage eliminates the friction heat caused by rotation of the spinning rotor.

Abstract: In the present invention, a plurality of fixed flats are disposed in juxtaposition to one another, and an opening 5 to 33 mm wide is formed between each pair of adjoining fixed flats, in such a manner that the dust is entrained in the discharge air current produced at the upstream side of the opening and extracted out of the opened fiber mass.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a safe method of commercially producing optically active aminoalcohol derivatives, which serve as intermediates for the synthesis of medicinal chemicals such as the immunopotentiating anticancer agent bestatin, in a simple and easy manner in high yields and with high levels of selectivity.The present invention consists in a method of producing 3-amino-1-nitro-4-phenyl-2-butanol derivatives of the general formula (1) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an amino group protecting group, and a method of producing 3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid derivatives derivable therefrom.