Abstract: A process for separating one chiral compound from a mixture of chiral compounds is disclosed. The separation process involves using a chiral stationary phase (CSP) which comprises a chiral organic material deposited on an amorphous silica support having a unimodal distribution of pore sizes in the range of about 300 .ANG. to about 25,000 .ANG. and a surface area of less than about 30 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: Silicalite with increased hydrophobicity may be made by steaming silicalite in an atmosphere of at least 10% water vapor at temperatures of 650-850.degree. C. When used as monodisperse spheres with a diameter in the range of 1-20 microns such ultrahydrophobic silicalite is an excellent adsorbent for chromatographic separation of polar materials, including fatty acids, at both the analytical level and preparative level using simulated moving bed techniques.

Abstract: The chiral isomers of 3-hydroxytetrahyrofuran are separated by means of liquid chromatography using a stationary phase comprising a substituted polysaccharide carbamate. The separation may be performed using a simulated moving bed adsorbent system. Suitable mobile phase materials comprise a mixture of a light paraffin and a low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol such as a mixture of n-hexane and ethanol. Amylose is the preferred polysaccharide.

Abstract: Small pore silicas serving as the inert core support in chiral stationary phases show a surprising increase in column capacity relative to conventional chiral stationary phases having large pore silicas as the inert core support. This affords increased productivity and lower overall costs for chiral resolutions using a chiral stationary phase as adsorbent and an achiral liquid as eluant.

Abstract: Chiral stationary phases perform well when the underlying support for the chiral organic material is coated onto a silica pore widened by a hydrothermal treatment. The resulting silica is amorphous with a unimodal distribution of large pores. A variety of chiral stationary phases perform well and are distinguished, inter alia, by the treatment, if any, prior to coating the chiral organic material.

Abstract: Silicalite with increased hydrophobicity may be made by steaming silicalite in an atmosphere of at least 10% water vapor at temperatures of 650.degree.-850.degree. C. When used as monodisperse spheres with a diameter in the range 1-20 microns such ultrahydrophobic silicalite is an excellent adsorbent for chromatographic separation of polar materials, including fatty acids, at both the analytical level and preparative level using simulated moving bed techniques.

Abstract: Base-catalyzed transesterification may be effected in the presence of certain metal oxide solid solutions and layered double hydroxides as the basic catalyst. Use of the latter materials as the base catalyst readily permits one to conduct transesterification in a continuous manner. Such a continuous process is applicable to esters generally and is not limited to any particular structural types of esters or alcohols. Transesterification of detergent range alkyl acetates by this method leads to the formation of the corresponding detergent range alcohols in excellent yield and with quite high selectivity.