Abstract: A process for producing fatty acid esters with a high yield from an unrefined natural oil or fat, such as waste oil discarded by restaurant, food industries or common homes. The process comprises reacting an oil or fat with an alcohol in the presence of a titanate catalyst of general formula: Ti(OR)4 in which R means: methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-buthyl, 2-ethylhexyl or octoleneglycole rest.

Abstract: Optically active intermediates of the formula: ##STR1## in the S optical configuration wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, nitro and trifluoromethyl, R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1-4 lower alkyl, and R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-4 lower alkyl, hydroxy C.sub.1-4 lower alkyl, phenyl, hydroxyphenyl, benzyl, hydroxybenzyl, or 3'-methyleneindolyl, and A is a protective group, and their preparation is described. These compounds are useful in the preparation of corresponding optically active 1,4-benzodiazepines.

Abstract: Compositions, useful as tranquilizers containing, as active ingredient, an optically active compound having the formula: ##STR1## having an asymmetric carbon atom in position 3 having the S configuration and wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, nitro, and trifluoromethyl groups, R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1-4 lower alkyl groups and R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-4 lower alkyl, hydroxy C.sub.1-4 lower alkyl, phenyl, hydroxyphenyl, benzyl, hydroxybenzyl, and 3'-methyleneindolyl groups, is described.They are obtained by reaction of a compound having the formula ##STR2## with a compound of the formula wherein A is a protective group.The compounds of formula I have sedative and tranquilizing properties.

Abstract: Optically active compounds having the formula ##STR1## having an asymmetric carbon atom in position 3 having the S configuration and wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the class consisting of hydrogen, halogen, nitro, and trifluoromethyl groups, R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1-4 lower alkyl groups and R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-4 lower alkyl, hydroxy C.sub.1-4 lower alkyl, phenyl, hydroxy phenyl, benzyl, hydroxy benzyl, and 3'-methyleneindolyl groups.They are obtained by reaction of a compound having the formula ##STR2## with a compound of the formula wherein A is a protective group.The compounds of formula I have sedative and tranquilizing properties.