Abstract: An electrochemical process produces tetraalkyl 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylates having alkyl groups with 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The process employs an electrohydrodimerization of dialkyl maleates having alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms in a reactant solution with an alcohol and a conducting salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a metal para-periodate by anodic oxidation of an iodine compound with an oxidation state from ?I to +V in an electrolysis cell under specific conditions, and to a device for carrying out this reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel biocatalytic process for the stereoselective preparation of alpha amino amide compounds catalyzed by NHase enzymes. A further aspect of the invention relates to novel NHase enzymes as well as further improved NHase enzyme mutants, nucleic acid molecules encoding these enzymes, recombinant microorganisms suitable for preparing such enzymes and mutants. Another aspect of the invention relates to a chemo-biocatalytic process for the preparation of lactam compounds comprising the new catalytic process for the preparation of alpha amino amide compounds catalyzed by NHase enzymes, as well as the chemical oxidation of the alpha amino amide by applying certain chemical oxidation catalysts suitable for converting the alpha amino amide under retention of its stereochemical configuration to the respective lactam. The novel chemo-biocatalytic process is particularly suited for the synthesis of valuable pharmaceutical compounds, like in particular (S)-Levetiracetam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to regioselective chemical and electrochemical processes for the preparation of an oxidized heterocyclic alpha-amino amide compounds. By applying specific catalysts or catalyst systems during chemical oxidation or by applying particular electrochemical oxidation conditions the present invention provides access to valuable alpha amino amide compounds, which are oxidized at the heterocyclic amino group by regioselective introduction of either a hydroxyl or a keto group. In a more particular embodiment, the present invention describes a chemical oxidation reaction, which advantageously is applicable in the enantioselective synthesis of valuable oxidized heterocyclic alpha-amino amide compounds, like levetiracetam, brivaracetam or the synthesis of piracetam. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a process for the electrochemical recycling of alkali perhalogenate oxidants as spent during said regioselective oxidation reactions of the invention.

Abstract: In various aspects and embodiments the invention provides a method for preparing a metal periodate by anodic oxidation of a metal iodide in an electrolysis cell comprising one or more anodes and one or more cathodes, characterised in that the one or more anodes are carbon-comprising electrodes. In certain embodiments the method is characterised in that the one or more anodes comprise a diamond layer doped with one or more IUPAC group 13, 15 or 16 elements of the periodic table.