Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making an .alpha.-hydroxy acid which is essentially all L or all D with respect to the chiral C atom bonded to the carboxy group of said acid which comprises (1) hydrocarboxylating an enol acylate, which has a chiral C atom that is essentially all L or all D, with CO and water or an organic hydroxyl compound, thereby producing a reaction mixture containing diastereomeric .alpha.-acyloxy acids or esters having two chiral centers and having essentially no enantiomeric pairs, (2) separating the diastereomers by conventional physical means and (3) hydrolyzing at least one of said separated diastereomers to make at least the .alpha.-hydroxy acid which is essentially all L or all D with respect to the chiral C atom bonded to the carboxy group of said acid.Also disclosed is a process for making an .alpha.

Abstract: A process of producing hydrogen cyanide from crude acetonitrile comprising contacting the crude acetonitrile with an ammoxidation catalyst at an elevated temperature in the presence of an oxygen containing gas and ammonia. Preferably, the process is performed in the absence of propylene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making ethylamines by the hydrogenation in a reaction zone of acetonitrile contained in a basic aqueous solution which also contains HCN, which comprises continuously passing hydrogen gas in contact with a flowing stream containing acetonitrile, water and HCN, which stream is in contact with a solid hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the hydrogen contact time is in the range from 0.5 seconds to 20 minutes and the molar ratio of H.sub.2 to acetonitrile charged to said reaction zone is in the range 2-200:1.

Abstract: 1,3-butadienes are catalytically hydrocarbamylated to make 3-pentenamides.

Abstract: In the process of hydrocarboxylating an .alpha.-enamide with CO and H.sub.2 O or an organic hydroxyl compound to produce an N-acyl-.alpha.-amino acid or ester, respectively, the improvement comprising using as the .alpha.-enamide reactant, an .alpha.-enamide which has a chiral center that is essentially all L or D, thereby producing a reaction mixture containing diastereomeric N-acyl-.alpha.-amino acids or esters having two chiral centers, said mixture having essentially no enantiomeric pairs.

Abstract: A process for making a diamide of the formula ##STR1## by reacting a monoamide compound of the formula ##STR2## with CO and an amine or ammonia of the formula R.sub.7 R.sub.8 NH in the liquid phase under essentially anhydrous conditions at a temperature in the range from 120.degree. to 210.degree. C., where each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 is selected independently from H and a C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 hydrocarbyl containing no ethylenic or acetylenic unsaturation.

Abstract: In the process of hydrocarboxylating an enol acylate with CO and an organic hydroxyl compound to produce an .alpha.-acyloxy acid ester, the improvement comprising using as the organic hydroxyl compound reactant, an organic hydroxyl compound which has a chiral center that is essentially all L or D, thereby producing a reaction mixture having essentially no enantiomeric pairs and containing diastereomeric .alpha.-acyloxy acid esters having two chiral centers.

Abstract: In the process of hydrocarboxylating an .alpha.-enamide with CO and an organic hydroxyl compound to produce a N-acyl-.alpha.-amino acid ester, the improvement comprising using as the organic hydroxyl compound reactant, an organic hydroxyl compound which has a chiral center that is essentially all L or D, thereby producing a reaction mixture having essentially no enantiomeric pairs and containing diastereomeric N-acyl-.alpha.-amino acid esters having two chiral centers.