Abstract: Polysaccharide acid amide compositions are disclosed which contains one extra carbon atom as compared to the polysaccharide and which comprises an acid amide of the formula --C(O)N(R)(R') where R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl of from about one to about four carbon atoms and R' is fatty alkyl of no less than about eight carbon atoms. Disaccharides such as lactose or maltose are preferred. These polysaccharide acid amides are formed by reacting the polysaccharide with a cyanide source, for example, an alkali metal cyanide, such as sodium cyanide, in the presence of an amine reagent containing a fatty alkyl group, such as one which comprises a ammonium ion of the formula H.sub.2 N(R)(R') where R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl of from about one to about four carbon atoms and R' is fatty alkyl of no less than about eight carbon atoms.

Abstract: .alpha.-aminonitrile compounds can be synthesized by reacting a carbonyl compound, for example an aldehyde, such as, one containing an alkyl group, with a fatty amine hydrohalide, for example, a fatty amine hydrochloride, in the presence of a cyanide source, for example, an alkali metal cyanide.

Abstract: A process for forming an alkoxide-derived yttrium-barium-copper oxide high temperature superconductor thin film by sol-gel processing is disclosed. It comprises first forming a thin film comprising solubilized yttrium and barium alkoxides and copper aminoalkoxide, under an inert gas atmosphere, on a non-reactive substrate, the amount of copper amino alkoxide being in excess of the stoichiometric amount to compensate for losses due to volatility of the copper amino alkoxide. The coating composition is then heated first in a moisture laden inert gas atmosphere, to hydrolyze the alkoxides, to temperatures in excess of the formation temperature of the superconductor. It is thereafter calcined in an oxygen atmosphere at higher temperatures to form the high temperature superconductor thin film.