Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing of d,l-&agr;-tocopherol by the catalyzed condensation of trimethylhydroquinone with isophytol. This process includes carrying out the condensation in the presence of bis-(trifluoromethylsulphonyl)amine [HN(SO2CF3)2] or a metal salt thereof of the formula Met (N(SO2CF3)2)n (I) as the catalyst and supercritical carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide as the solvent, wherein Met is a metal atom such as for example boron, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, scandium, titanium, vanadium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, yttrium, zirconium, rhodium, palladium, silver, tin, lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium, europium, dysprosium, ytterbium, hafnium, platinum and gold, and n is the corresponding valency (1, 2, 3, or 4) of the metal atom Met. A cosolvent may also be used, which is a lower aliphatic alkanol, ketone or hydrocarbon. The product of the process is the most active member of the vitamin E group.

Abstract: A process for the racemization of atropisomeric bis(phosphine oxide) compounds of formula I: in their (S) or (R) or non-racemic form, is useful for preparing optical active bisphosphine ligands, that form optical active complexes with transition metals. Racemization is thermal and carried out in high or low boiling solvent, under normal or elevated pressure at 105 to 3.5×107 Pa. Heating is performed in a system that allows heating up to 400° C. (reactor, autoclave, aluminum block, round-bottom flask with heating/stirring mantle and the like) or by microwave irradiation or in the melt at a temperature from 260 to 400° C.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a process for making a compound of formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, alkyl, cyclo-alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or an amino protecting group; andR.sup.2, R.sup.3 each independently is hydrogen, alkyl, cyclo-alkyl, alkenyl or aryl; by reacting a compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein X is a protected hydroxy group; with R.sup.1 NH.sub.2 to form a compound of formula ##STR3## wherein X and R.sup.1 are described herein above; and then reacting the compound of formula III with R.sup.2 R.sup.3 NH under pressure to form the compound of formula I. These compounds are valuable intermediates useful in making cephalosporin derivatives.