Abstract: Processes are provided for the conversion of diglycol terephthalates to a dialkyl terephthalate, specifically bis(hydroxyalkyl) terephthalate to dimethyl terephthalate at low temperatures. The process involves initial catalyzed transesterification of bis(hydroxyalkyl) terephthalate with methanol at a first temperature of between 0° C. and 70° C. for an initial time followed by a second stage of the reaction at or below 30° C. In particular, the process is tolerant of significant amounts of glycol and water, so the precursor bis(hydroxyalkyl) terephthalate does not necessarily need to be highly pure or dry. Filtration of the reaction mixture allows recovery of high yields of dimethyl terephthalate of sufficiently high purity such that further purification is often not required in order to be repurposed for the manufacture of polyesters.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of amphoteric compounds containing a quaternary nitrogen group, a covalently bound counterion, and an ester or amide group. These amphoteric compounds can be advantageously prepared via a chemoenzymatic green process, and exhibit good surfactant properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of amphoteric compounds containing a quaternary nitrogen group, a covalently bound counterion, and an ester or amide group. These amphoteric compounds can be advantageously prepared via a chemoenzymatic green process, and exhibit good surfactant properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of amphoteric ester sulfonates, including 3-(N, N-dimethyl-cocoylpropylammonio-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate. These amphoteric ester sulfonates can be advantageously prepared in high yield and purity by a two-step chemoenzymatic process, and have excellent surfactant properties.

Abstract: The invention provides branched trialkylamine oxides with improved properties. The trialkylamine oxides of the invention produced from branched trialkylamines, in one embodiment, can be made using certain branched C10-12 enals and aldehydes. The invention also provides an trialkylamine oxide having the formula: wherein R5, R6 and R7 are independently at least one of C3H7, C2H5, CH3, or H, or mixtures thereof; and wherein R5 and R6 are not H at the same time. In one embodiment, the trialkylamine oxides of the invention can be useful in making various products, for example, as surfactants.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of a modified triethanolamine/fatty acid ester composition ratio by treatment of a conventional tnethanolamine fatty acid ester composition with a hydrolytic enzyme. Also provided are novel mixtures of tnethanolamine and mono-, di-, and tri-esters of fatty acids which are useful in the preparation of cationic surfactants useful in fabric softening applications. In one aspect, the method increases the triester fraction without significantly affecting the amount of mono-ester and unesterified species, which in turn adds to the flexibility in the formulation of the corresponding fabric softening compositions.

Abstract: A process for preparing Propamocarb is presented. The preparation of Propamocarb (propyl 3-(dimethylamino)propylcarbamate) from 3-dimethylaminopropylamine and dipropyl carbonate is performed using an enzyme catalyst. In certain embodiments, the catalyst is a lipase enzyme, immobilized on a solid support. Advantages of the process include the avoidance of the use of chloroformate or vinyl carbonate.

Abstract: The surfactants which can be produced from the trialkylamine intermediates include the quaternary ammonium compounds of formula:

Abstract: A process for preparing Propamocarb is presented. The preparation of Propamocarb (propyl 3-(dimethylamino)propylcarbamate) from 3-dimethylaminopropylamine and dipropyl carbonate is performed using an enzyme catalyst. In certain embodiments, the catalyst is a lipase enzyme, immobilized on a solid support. Advantages of the process include the avoidance of the use of chloroformate or vinyl carbonate.

Abstract: The invention provides branched hydrophobes for the production of surfactants with improved properties over linear hydrophobes. The invention also provides branched C10-12 enals and aldehydes. The invention additionally provides branched C10-12 enals and aldehydes that are oxidized to branched fatty acids or hydrogenated to branched fatty alcohols and further derivatized to surfactants, through ethoxylation or esterification and other or subsequent reactions. The enals and aldehydes are useful in making branched trialkylamine intermediates useful in making certain surfactants, including amphoteric, cationic and nonionic surfactants. The surfactants which can be produced from the trialkylamine intermediates include the quaternary ammonium compounds of the invention. The quaternary ammonium compounds of the invention are also useful in making the branched enals and/or aldehydes useful in the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides branched hydrophobes for the production of surfactants with improved properties over linear hydrophobes. The invention also provides branched C10-12 enals and aldehydes that are oxidized to branched fatty acids or hydrogenated to branched fatty alcohols and further derivatized to surfactants, through ethoxylation or esterification and other or subsequent reactions. The invention further provides surfactants made from the branched trialkylamine intermediates, including amphoteric, cationic and nonionic surfactants.

Abstract: The invention provides branched trialkylamine oxides with improved properties. The trialkylamine oxides of the invention produced from branched trialkylamines, in one embodiment, can be made using certain branched C10-12 enals and aldehydes. The invention also provides an trialkylamine oxide having the formula: wherein R5, R6 and R7 are independently at least one of C3H7, C2H5, CH3, or H, or mixtures thereof; and wherein R5 and R6 are not H at the same time. In one embodiment, the trialkylamine oxides of the invention can be useful in making various products, for example, as surfactants.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of amphoteric ester sulfonates, including 3-(N, N-dimethyl-cocoylpropylammonio-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate. These amphoteric ester sulfonates can be advantageously prepared in high yield and purity by a two-step chemoenzymatic process, and have excellent surfactant properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions utilizing a first zwitterionic ammonio-alkanamide and/or zwitterionic ammonio-alkanoate surfactant according to Formula 1 and an ingredient selected from the group consisting a surfactant other than the first zwitterionic surfactant, emulsifiers, conditioning agents, emollients, moisturizers, humectants, thickeners, lubricants, chelating agents, fillers, binding agents, anti-oxidants, preservatives, active ingredients, fragrances, dyes, buffering agents, exfoliates, pH adjusters, inorganic salts, solvents, viscosity controlling agents and opacifying agents, wherein the composition is substantially free of alkylamidoamine and aminoalkylamine.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of amphoteric ester sulfonates, including 3-(N,N-dimethyl-cocoylpropylammonio-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate. These amphoteric ester sulfonates can be advantageously prepared in high yield and purity by a two-step chemoenzymatic process, and have excellent surfactant properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions utilizing a zwitterionic ester ammonioalkanoate surfactant according to Formula 1 and an ingredient selected from the group consisting a surfactant other than said zwitterionic ester ammonioalkanoate surfactant, emulsifiers, conditioning agents, emollients, moisturizers, humectants, thickeners, lubricants, chelating agents, fillers, binding agents, anti-oxidants, preservatives, active ingredients, fragrances, dyes, buffering agents, exfoliates, pH adjusters, inorganic salts, solvents, viscosity controlling agents and opacifying agents, wherein the composition is substantially free of alkylamidoamine and aminoalkylamine.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of amphoteric compounds having a heterocyclic quaternary nitrogen group. The heterocycle includes pyridines, piperidines, and pyrrolidines, and is linked to the hydrophobe via either an amide or an ester linkage. These heterocyclic amphoteric compounds can be advantageously prepared in high yield and purity by a two-step chemoenzymatic process, and have excellent surfactant properties.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a low temperature process for the preparation of dimethyl amines from nitriles via reductive amination. In some embodiments, the process proceeds under mild conditions with aqeuous dimethylamine and show an unexpected rate acceleration by the inclusion of an acid addition salt of the dimethylamine.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of amphoteric compounds containing a quaternary nitrogen group, a covalently bound counterion, and an ester or amide group. These amphoteric compounds can be advantageously prepared via a chemoenzymatic green process, and exhibit good surfactant properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions utilizing a first zwitterionic ammonio-alkanamide and/or zwitterionic ammonio-alkanoate surfactant according to Formula 1 and an ingredient selected from the group consisting a surfactant other than the first zwitterionic surfactant, emulsifiers, conditioning agents, emollients, moisturizers, humectants, thickeners, lubricants, chelating agents, fillers, binding agents, anti-oxidants, preservatives, active ingredients, fragrances, dyes, buffering agents, exfoliates, pH adjusters, inorganic salts, solvents, viscosity controlling agents and opacifying agents, wherein the composition is substantially free of alkylamidoamine and aminoalkylamine.