Abstract: A method of extracting at least one cannabinoid from a biomass consisting of industrial hemp comprises: (i) contacting the biomass with a solvent formulation which comprises a C1-4 fluorinated hydrocarbon or a C1-4 hydrofluorocarbon ether, thereby to charge the solvent formulation with an extract from the biomass; and (ii) separating charged solvent formulation from the biomass.

Abstract: A method of extracting at least one cannabinoid from a biomass comprises the following steps (i) contacting the biomass with a solvent formulation which comprises a C1-4 fluorinated hydrocarbon or a C1-4 hydrofluorocarbon ether, thereby to charge the solvent formulation with an extract from the biomass; and (ii) separating charged solvent formulation from the biomass.

Abstract: A process for preparing particles of a substance comprising contacting a first formulation including a first substance with a first solvent stream and a second solvent stream, thereby causing formation of particles of the first substance, wherein both the first and second solvent streams are in a non-supercritical state, and subjecting the resultant mixture to a separation process which causes separation of the first substance from the first and second solvent streams.

Abstract: A material contaminated with a solvent is treated with a hydrofluorocarbon to remove the contaminant. A preferred hydrofluorocarbon is tetrafluoroethane. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also described.

Abstract: A method of preparing particles of a substance, for example selected from a flavor, fragrance, pigment, dye, biologically active compound or a plastics material, comprises contacting the substance of a formulation (which may include the substance in conjunction with a second solvent) with a first solvent which comprises a C1-C4 hydrofluorocarbon, especially tetrafluoroethane, and subjecting the resultant mixture to a separation process, for example, by allowing the mixture to be sprayed as a mist (14) from a high pressure environment in a first vessel (2) to a low pressure environment in a second vessel (8), thereby to cause separation of a least some of the substance from the first solvent and the formation of fine particles (20) of the substance.

Abstract: A material contaminated with a solvent is treated with a hydrofluorocarbon to remove the contaminant. A preferred hydrofluorocarbon is tetrafluoroethane. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also described.

Abstract: An improved process for improving the purity of an impure material, for example for producing low color nicotine is disclosed. The process involves passing a solution of less pure material, for example nicotine, in a non-aqueous solvent, such as a fluorinated hydrocarbon, for example tetrafluoroethane, through an ion exchange resin or absorbent such that the impurity is retained on the resin, and purer material passes through. The process eliminates the need for distillation to prepare a purer material, for example to separate nicotine from colour causing compounds. Said process is non-flammable, non-ozone depleting, and has low toxicity.

Abstract: A highly productive and environmentally friendly method of loading pharmaceutically active substances onto ion exchange resins using a water miscible or water-immiscible solvent is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing particles of a substance comprising contacting a first formulation including a first substance with a first solvent stream and a second solvent stream, thereby causing formation of particles of the first substance, wherein both the first and second solvent streams are in a non-supercritical state, and subjecting the resultant mixture to a separation process which causes separation of the first substance from the first and second solvent streams.

Abstract: There is described a process for the extraction of at least one relatively polar component from a material which may be naturally occuring or a synthetic mixture, the process comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the material with a solvent mixture comprising a C1 to C4 fluorinated hydrocarbon, especially 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and a co-solvent having a dielectric constant (at 20° C.) of at least 5; and (b) separating the charged solvent from said material, thereby to isolate said material.

Abstract: A material contaminated with a solvent is treated with a hydrofluorocarbon to remove the contaminant. A preferred hydrofluorocarbon is tetrafluoroethane. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also described.

Abstract: A material contaminated with a solvent is treated with a hydrofluorocarbon to remove the contaminant. The hydrofluorocarbon can be tetrafluoroethane.

Abstract: There is described a process for the extraction of at least one relatively polar component from a material which may be naturally occuring or a synthetic mixture, the process comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the material with a solvent mixture comprising a C1 to C4 fluorinated hydrocarbon, especially 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and a co-solvent having a dielectric constant (at 20° C.) of at least 5; and (b) separating the charged solvent from said material, thereby to isolate said material.

Abstract: There is described a process for the extraction of a least one relatively polar component form a material which may be naturally occurring or a synthetic mixture, the process comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the material with a solvent mixture comprising C1 to C4 fluorinated hydrocarbon, especially 1,1,1,2-tetrafluorethan and a co-solvent having a dielectric constant (at 20° C.) of at least 6 so as to charge the solvent mixture wherein the co-solvent is selected from the group consisting of amides, sulfoxides, alcohols, ketones, organic acid, carboxylic acid derivatives, cyanide derivatives, ammonia sulfur containing molecules, inorganic acids and nitro derivatives and separating the charged solve mixture from the material to isolate the polar component.

Abstract: A first compound is converted to a second compound enzymatically in a solvent mixture containing water and a fluorinated, non-chlorinated alkane, alkene, or alkyne having up to 4 carbon atoms. Lactams, for example 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA), may be prepared by enzymatic conversion of a first compound, for example penicillin-G, in a solvent mixture comprising water and a non-aqueous organic solvent, for example 1,1,1, 2-tetrafluoroethane. The 6-APA can be caused to precipitate, isolated by filtration and optionally derivatized to produce a desired compound. A by-product of the enzymatic conversion, for example phenylacetic acid, can be isolated by solvent extraction, suitably using a solvent which also comprises 1, 1, 1, 2-tetrafluoroethane.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a metal salt of clavulanic acid which comprises the reaction between an organic amine salt of clavulanic acid and a metal salt precursor compound, the reaction taking place in a liquid medium which comprises a liquid florinated and/or chlorinated hydrocarbon.