Abstract: A thermoformable and biodegradable cellulose acetate composition comprising at least one cellulose acetate and either polyethylene glycol or m ethoxy polyethylene glycol are disclosed. The compositions are formed into films, sheets, and articles.

Abstract: Thermoformable and biodegradable cellulose acetate compositions comprising at least one cellulose acetate at least one plasticizer, and at least one additional component chosen from a filler, additive, biodegradable polymer, stabilizer, or odor modifier are disclosed. The compositions are formed into films, sheets, and articles.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of amphoteric compounds containing a quaternary nitrogen group, a covalently bound counterion, and an ester or amide group. These amphoteric compounds can be advantageously prepared via a chemoenzymatic green process, and exhibit good surfactant properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of amphoteric compounds containing a quaternary nitrogen group, a covalently bound counterion, and an ester or amide group. These amphoteric compounds can be advantageously prepared via a chemoenzymatic green process, and exhibit good surfactant properties.

Abstract: The invention provides branched trialkylamine oxides with improved properties. The trialkylamine oxides of the invention produced from branched trialkylamines, in one embodiment, can be made using certain branched C10-12 enals and aldehydes. The invention also provides an trialkylamine oxide having the formula: wherein R5, R6 and R7 are independently at least one of C3H7, C2H5, CH3, or H, or mixtures thereof; and wherein R5 and R6 are not H at the same time. In one embodiment, the trialkylamine oxides of the invention can be useful in making various products, for example, as surfactants.

Abstract: The present application relates to branched acetal compounds. The branched acetal compounds have utility as additives in paint and coating compositions. The branched acetal compounds exhibit reduced Volatile Organic Content (VOC). When added to a paint or coating composition, the branched acetal compositions of the present application provide satisfactory coating coalescing activity and reduced VOC content.

Abstract: Disclosed are enol ethers compounds. The enol ethers exhibit low volatile organic content and are useful in a variety of chemical applications. The enol ethers can be used in applications as diluents, wetting agents, coalescing aids, paint additives and as intermediates in chemical processes. The enol ethers also have particular utility as film-hardening additives in coating formulations.

Abstract: A process for preparing Propamocarb is presented. The preparation of Propamocarb (propyl 3-(dimethylamino)propylcarbamate) from 3-dimethylaminopropylamine and dipropyl carbonate is performed using an enzyme catalyst. In certain embodiments, the catalyst is a lipase enzyme, immobilized on a solid support. Advantages of the process include the avoidance of the use of chloroformate or vinyl carbonate.

Abstract: The surfactants which can be produced from the trialkylamine intermediates include the quaternary ammonium compounds of formula:

Abstract: A process for preparing Propamocarb is presented. The preparation of Propamocarb (propyl 3-(dimethylamino)propylcarbamate) from 3-dimethylaminopropylamine and dipropyl carbonate is performed using an enzyme catalyst. In certain embodiments, the catalyst is a lipase enzyme, immobilized on a solid support. Advantages of the process include the avoidance of the use of chloroformate or vinyl carbonate.

Abstract: The invention provides branched trialkylamine oxides with improved properties. The trialkylamine oxides of the invention produced from branched trialkylamines, in one embodiment, can be made using certain branched C10-12 enals and aldehydes. The invention also provides an trialkylamine oxide having the formula: wherein R5, R6 and R7 are independently at least one of C3H7, C2H5, CH3, or H, or mixtures thereof; and wherein R5 and R6 are not H at the same time. In one embodiment, the trialkylamine oxides of the invention can be useful in making various products, for example, as surfactants.

Abstract: The invention provides branched hydrophobes for the production of surfactants with improved properties over linear hydrophobes. The invention also provides branched C10-12 enals and aldehydes. The invention additionally provides branched C10-12 enals and aldehydes that are oxidized to branched fatty acids or hydrogenated to branched fatty alcohols and further derivatized to surfactants, through ethoxylation or esterification and other or subsequent reactions. The enals and aldehydes are useful in making branched trialkylamine intermediates useful in making certain surfactants, including amphoteric, cationic and nonionic surfactants. The surfactants which can be produced from the trialkylamine intermediates include the quaternary ammonium compounds of the invention. The quaternary ammonium compounds of the invention are also useful in making the branched enals and/or aldehydes useful in the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides branched hydrophobes for the production of surfactants with improved properties over linear hydrophobes. The invention also provides branched C10-12 enals and aldehydes that are oxidized to branched fatty acids or hydrogenated to branched fatty alcohols and further derivatized to surfactants, through ethoxylation or esterification and other or subsequent reactions. The invention further provides surfactants made from the branched trialkylamine intermediates, including amphoteric, cationic and nonionic surfactants.

Abstract: The invention relates to amino acid sequence variants of a lipase with improved activity for catalyzing synthesis reactions and methods of preparing the variants. The methods include predicting amino acid sites for change based on computational models of the protein structure in non-aqueous conditions, and expressing the protein in a prokaryotic host for subsequent purification and use. The enzyme sequence variants described have a three to nine-fold improvement in synthesis activity over the parent protein sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to amino acid sequence variants of a lipase with improved activity for catalyzing synthesis reactions and methods of preparing the variants. The methods include predicting amino acid sites for change based on computational models of the protein structure in non-aqueous conditions, and expressing the protein in a prokaryotic host for subsequent purification and use. The enzyme sequence variants described have a three to nine-fold improvement in synthesis activity over the parent protein sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to amino acid sequence variants of a lipase with improved activity for catalyzing synthesis reactions and methods of preparing the variants. The methods include predicting amino acid sites for change based on computational models of the protein structure in non-aqueous conditions, and expressing the protein in a prokaryotic host for subsequent purification and use. The enzyme sequence variants described have a three to nine-fold improvement in synthesis activity over the parent protein sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of amphoteric compounds containing a quaternary nitrogen group, a covalently bound counterion, and an ester or amide group. These amphoteric compounds can be advantageously prepared via a chemoenzymatic green process, and exhibit good surfactant properties.

Abstract: A variety of betaine esters, including dialkylaminoalkyl cocoate betaines and dialkylaminoalkyl hydrogenated cocoate betaines are disclosed. These betaines can be advantageously prepared in high yield and purity by a three-step transiterification chemoenzymatic process or a two-step direct esterficiation chemoenzymatic process. These betaine esters have excellent surfactant properties.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a polyoxyalkylene ester composition comprising the reaction product of a polyoxyalkylated alcohol or polyol reactant and an acyl donor wherein the ester has greater than about 85 weight percent of a fully acylated polyoxyalkylene ester, less than about 15 percent of a partially acylated polyoxyalkylene ester, less than about 5 parts per million 1,4-dioxane and an acid number of less than about 20. Another aspect of the invention is a process for making the polyoxyalkylene ester composition that includes the steps of contacting a reaction mixture of an polyoxyalkylated alcohol or polyol reactant and an acyl donor reactant in a reactor and in the presence of an enzymatic catalyst under esterification conditions and recovering the polyoxyalkylene ester.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a polyoxyalkylene ester composition comprising the reaction product of a polyoxyalkylated alcohol or polyol reactant and an acyl donor wherein the ester has greater than about 85 weight percent of a fully acylated polyoxyalkylene ester, less than about 15 percent of a partially acylated polyoxyalkylene ester, less than about 5 parts per million 1,4-dioxane and an acid number of less than about 20. Another aspect of the invention is a process for making the polyoxyalkylene ester composition that includes the steps of contacting a reaction mixture of an polyoxyalkylated alcohol or polyol reactant and an acyl donor reactant in a reactor and in the presence of an enzymatic catalyst under esterification conditions and recovering the polyoxyalkylene ester.