Abstract: Processes for the preparation of pyrrolidones (7 and 8) and pyrrolidines (9 and 10) from tri-O-acetyl-D-erythro-4-pentulosonic acid esters are described. The compounds are aza sugar analogs of D-ribofuranoside and are intermediates to drugs which regulate nucleoside and nucleic acid synthesis.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 1,5-dideoxy -1,5-imino hexitols of a hexose sugars from novel hydroxyl protected oxime intermediates. The process includes formation of a lactam which is reduced to the hexitol. The hexitols are useful as drugs.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino hexitols of a hexose sugars from novel hydroxyl protected oxime intermediates. The process includes formation of a lactam which is reduced to the hexitol. The hexitols are useful as drugs.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 1,5-dideoxy —1,5-imino hexitols of a hexose sugars from novel hydroxyl protected oxime intermediates. The process includes formation of a lactam which is reduced to the hexitol. The hexitols are useful as drugs.

Abstract: A process for preparing 5-hydroxymethyl-2-oxazolidinone (1), preferably optically active, in one step from 3,4-boronic acid ester protected 3,4-dihydroxybutyramides (2) is described. The oxazolidinone is important in the pharmaceutical industry especially in the areas of antimicrobials and behavioral disorders.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid (I) and 3-hydroxy-&ggr;-butyrolactone (V) thereof from a 3-leaving group substituted pentose source is described. In particular, the process relates to the synthesis of (R)-3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid and (R)-3-hydroxy-&ggr;-butyrolactone from a 3-leaving group substituted L-pentose sugars. The process uses a base and a peroxide to convert the pentose source to the chiral 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid compound. The chiral 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid can be further converted to 3-hydroxy-&ggr;-butyrolactone by acidification. The chiral compound is useful as a chemical intermediate to the synthesis of various drugs and other products.

Abstract: A method for preparing protected, preferably chiral, 5-trityloxymethyl-oxazolidinone in one step directly from optically active 3-hydroxy-4-trityloxy butyramide is described. Oxazolidinones are an important class of molecules in the pharmaceutical industry especially in the areas of antimicrobials and behavioral disorders.

Abstract: A method for depolymerizing polysaccharides containing into saccharide fragments using ozonolysis is described.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid (1) and salts thereof from a D- or L-hexose source is described. The process uses an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide and peroxide oxidizing agent to convert the D- or L-hexose source to (1) by maintaining a low concentration of base and oxidizing agent in the reaction mixture at any one time and by maintaining a temperature between about 25° C. and 80° C. Upon acidification of the reaction mixture the 3-hydroxylactone is produced. The compound (1) is useful as a chemical intermediate to naturally occurring fatty acids and is used to prepare 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid-gamma-lactone (2) and furanone (3), particularly stereoisomers of these compounds.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid (I) and 3-hydroxy-&ggr;-butyrolactone (V) thereof from a 3-leaving group substituted pentose source is described. In particular, the process relates to the synthesis of (R)-3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid and (R)-3-hydroxy-&ggr;-butyrolactone from a 3-leaving group substituted L-pentose sugars. The process uses a base and a peroxide to convert the pentose source to the chiral 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid compound. The chiral 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid can be further converted to 3-hydroxy-&ggr;-butyrolactone by acidification. The chiral compound is useful as a chemical intermediate to the synthesis of various drugs and other products.

Abstract: Polyacetylene compounds and process for the preparation thereof from a chiral dihydroxy amide are described. The compounds preferably have diacyl groups attached to the amide. The compounds are useful for making films which are electrically conductive, near infrared absorbing, polarizing, and have the characteristic optical and other properties of polyacetylenes.

Abstract: Polymers and processes for synthesizing the polymers from .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated lactones, particularly 2(5H)-furanone, and amines with side chains. The polymers are used as hydrogels, as polymers that can bind metals and form complexes that are soluble in organic solvents, as polymers useful as flocculants in water purification, as polymers useful on non-fouling surfaces for biofilm suppression, polymers for use on non-thrombogenic surfaces, and polymers with uses as thin conductive films for microchips and other electronic devices. The process is a polymerization reaction involving the cyclic .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated lactone and a primary amine or primary ammonium compound.

Abstract: Novel 4-cyano-3-hydroxybutanoyl hydrazides (10), particularly R-chiral intermediates are described. The intermediates are useful in preparing (R)-3-hydroxy-4-trimethylaminobutyric acid (L-carnitine) and R-4-amino-3-hydroxybutyric acid (GABOB) and chiral chemical intermediates which are medically useful.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of protected dihydroxypropyl trialkylammonium salts, particularly in chiral form is described. In particular, a process for the preparation of (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-ylmethyl)trialkylammonium salts, particularly in chiral form is described. Furthermore, a process is described wherein the (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4ylmethyl)trialkylammonium salts is a 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-ylmethyl trimethylammonium salt, preferably in chiral form. The protected dihydroxypropyl trialkylammonium salts lead to L-carnitine (9) when in chiral form (5).

Abstract: A process for producing protected 3-amino-1,2-dihydroxypropane acetal, particularly in chiral forms, for use as an intermediate in the preparation of various 3-carbon compounds which are chiral. In particular, the present invention relates to the process for preparation of 3-amino-1,2-dihydroxypropane isopropylidene acetal. The protected 3-amino-1,2-dihydroxypropane acetal is a key intermediate to the preparation of chiral 3-carbon compounds which in turn are intermediates to various pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A method for depolymerizing polysaccharides containing into saccharide fragments using ozonolysis is described.

Abstract: A process for providing vicinal dimethyl long chain between alkyl groups of organic compounds is described. The process uses intact or disrupted cells of various species of bacteria, particularly Thermoanaerobacter sp., Sarcina sp. and Butyrivibrio sp. The process can be conducted in an aqueous reaction mixture at room temperatures.

Abstract: Preparation of 4-hydroxy substituted butyrolactones is described. A process for the preparation of 3-hydroxybutyrolactone, 1,2,4-trihydroxybutane and 3,4-dihydroxy acid methyl ester from malic acid is particularly described. The preparation of 4-hydroxymethyl-4-hydroxybutyric acid -1-methyl ester and 4-hydroxymethyl butyrolactone is particularly described. The compounds are intermediates to various pharmaceutical and agricultural products.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid (1) and salts thereof from a glucose source containing 1,4-1inked glucose as a substituent is described. The process uses an alkali metal hdyroxide and hydrogen peroxide to convert the glucose source to (1). The compound (1) is useful as a chemical intermediate to naturally occurring fatty acids and is used to prepare 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid-gamma-lactone (2) and furanone (3), particularly stereoisomers of these compounds.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid (1) and salts thereof from a glucose source containing 1,4-linked glucose as a substituent is described. The process uses an alkali metal hdyroxide and hydrogen peroxide to convert the glucose source to (1). The compound (1) is useful as a chemical intermediate to naturally occurring fatty acids and is used to prepare 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid-gamma-lactone (2) and furanone (3), particularly stereoisomers of these compounds.