Abstract: Provided is a clear aqueous ceramide composition comprising 1.0 to 5.0% by weight, based on the total composition, of a ceramide represented by formula (I): wherein R1 represents a hydrocarbon group having 9 to 17 carbon atoms; and R2 represents an acyl group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms which can contain a hydroxyl group, a long-chain fatty acid having 12 to 24 carbon atoms, a nonionic surface active agent, and water. The clear aqueous composition is useful as cosmetics, bath agents, hair-care products, external preparations for the skin, skin protective preparations, particularly medical external preparations for the treatment or protection of the skin, or a component making up these preparations.

Abstract: A fragrance composition having an excellent diffusivity and long-lasting property of fragrance and a cosmetic, toiletry, bath composition, food and drink and pharmaceutical having an excellent diffusivity and long-lasting property of fragrance by using a novel fixative. A compound represented by the following general formula (1) is incorporated in a fragrance composition or the foregoing products. The amount of the compound of the general formula (1) to be incorporated in the fragrance composition is preferably from 0.01 to 90% by weight. The amount of the compound of the general formula (1) to be incorporated directly in the foregoing products is preferably from 0.0001 to 2.0 times (by weight) the weight of the aroma composition and/or composition to be incorporated therein. In this arrangement, a fragrance composition or products having an enhanced diffusivity and long-lasting property of fragrance can be obtained without causing any safety problem on human being.

Abstract: A geometrical isomer composition excellent in odor and in chemical resistance, which is applicable to a base material containing a strongly alkaline chemical or a strongly acidic chemical, which can suppress the deterioration with time and the color change of the base material in the case that the material is exposed to light, and which also have highly tasteful and unique fruity floral fragrance.

Abstract: Industrially advantageous processes for producing a 2-alkyl-2-cyclopentenone in high yields starting from a 2-(1-hydroxyalkyl)cyclopentanone or a 2-alkylidenecyclopentanone, which are obtainable from a cyclopentanone and a carbonyl compound. A 2-(1-hydroxyalkyl)cyclopentanone represented by the following general formula (1): (wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 each independently represents hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms which may have one or more substituents or an aromatic group which may have one or more substituents, and each of (1) R6 or R7 with R3 and (2) R6 or R7 with R4 or R5 may be together combined to form a ring which may have a double bond) is subjected to dehydrative isomerization in the presence of a bromine compound and/or an iodine compound.

Abstract: An economical process for producing (2- and/or 1-)cyclohexenyl methyl ketones which are intermediates for the synthesis of &agr;- or &bgr;-damascone. In the presence of a catalyst, a 3-cyclohexenyl methyl ketone represented by the following formula (1a): wherein, R1, R2 and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and at least two of R1, R2 and R3 are methyl groups, is isomerized.

Abstract: Trans-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl methyl ketone, including (1S,6R)-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl methyl ketone represented by the formula (1a): and (1R,6S)-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl methyl ketone represented by the formula (1b): are useful components in a perfume composition. A process for producing the same is also described. A unique eucalyptus, mint-like and white floral perfume material is provided using the ketone compounds disclosed in the present invention. The process of the present invention produces the optically active ketone compounds having optical purity up to at least 98.0 % e.e.

Abstract: A melanin synthesis inhibitor composition containing at least one macrocyclic compound represented by Formula (1) wherein X is a group selected among the groups consisting of C═O; CH—OH and O═C—CHOH; R being a chain hydrocarbon having 13 to 24 carbon atoms, R forms a ring with X and may be saturated or contain 1 to 3 unsaturated bonds and may be substituted by a lower alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

Abstract: One or more 1-substituted-2,2,4-trimethylpentane-3-one derivatives represented by the following general formula (1): wherein X represents a benzene ring or a cyclohexane ring; and R represents an arbitrary hydrogen atom on the benzene ring or cyclohexane ring or a methyl group which substitutes the hydrogen atom are incorporated in a bleaching agent composition containing a chlorine-based bleaching agent component such as sodium hypochlorite or oxygen-based bleaching agent component such as sodium perborate.

Abstract: A geometrical isomer composition excellent in odor and in chemical resistance, which is applicable to a base material containing a strongly alkaline chemical or a strongly acidic chemical, which can suppress the deterioration with time and the color change of the base material in the case that the material is exposed to light, and which also have highly palatable and unique fruity floral fragrance. The composition is produced by mixing 93 to 99% by weight of optically active ethyl trans-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexylcarboxylate represented by Formula-1 or a mixture thereof and 7 to 1% by weight of optically active ethyl cis-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexylcarboxylate represented by Formula-2 or a mixture thereof, respectively.

Abstract: A geometrical isomer composition excellent in odor and in chemical resistance, which is applicable to a base material containing a strongly alkaline chemical or a strongly acidic chemical, which can suppress the deterioration with time and the color change of the base material in the case that the material is exposed to light, and which also have highly tasteful and unique fruity floral fragrance. A geometrical isomer composition containing 93 to 99% by weight of optically active trans-1-(2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl)-2-buten-1-one represented by Formula-1 or a mixture thereof and 7 to 1% by weight of optically active cis-1-(2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl)-2-buten-1-one represented by Formula-2 or a mixture thereof is, respectively, used.

Abstract: Industrially advantageous processes for producing a 2-alkyl-2-cyclopentenone in high yields starting from a 2-(1-hydroxyalkyl)cyclopentanone or a 2-alkylidenecyclopentanone, which are obtainable from a cyclopentanone and a carbonyl compound.

Abstract: A process for producing a pivaloylacetic acid ester comprises reacting pivaloyl chloride with an acetoacetic acid ester of an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the presence of at least one nitrogen-containing basic compound (a) selected from among pyridine compounds, N,N-dialkylanilines and imidazole compounds and from 0.01 to 0.5 mole equivalent, based on the pivaloyl chloride, of a magnesium compound (b) to thereby prepare a pivaloylacetoacetic acid ester and then alcholyzing or alkali-hydrolyzing the pivaloylacetoacetic acid ester to thereby give a pivaloylacetic acid ester having a high purity at a low cost.

Abstract: A process for producing 2-vinylcyclododecanone, the process comprising isomerizing 2-ethylidenecyclododecanone represented by the following formula (1): wherein the wavy line signifies that the double bond is a Z-isomer, an E-isomer or a mixture of an E-isomer and a Z-isomer; in the presence of a catalyst and separating 2-vinylcyclododecanone represented by the following formula (2) from the reaction product by fractionation:

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provides a process in which a high-molecular-weight &bgr;-butyrolactone homopolymer or copolymer being biodegradable, absorbable into the living body, useful as a functional polymeric material and superior in physical characteristics is produced with high yield and good productivity.

Abstract: A melanin synthesis inhibitor composition containing at least one macrocyclic compound represented by Formula (1) 1

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel lipid composition for use in cosmetics capable of increasing moisture-keeping ability or barrier function of the stratum corneum, protecting the skin and improving dry or rough skin, and to products which use the same, such as cosmetics and medicaments. Particularly, it relates to a lipid composition which comprises at least one component (A) selected from the group consisting of a 2-acylaminoalkane-1,3-diol and optically active compounds thereof, at least one component (B) selected from the group consisting of a 2-acylaminoalkane-1,3-diol in which at least one of the &agr;-position and &bgr;-position of the acyl group is substituted with hydroxyl group and optically active compounds thereof and at least one component (C) selected from sterols, wherein the components (A), (B) and (C) are mixed at a ratio that constructs a liquid crystal structure, and to products which contain the lipid composition, such as cosmetics and medicaments.

Abstract: A method for safely and efficiently producing high purity 3-l-menthoxypropane-1,2-diol and intermediates to be used in the method. As shown in the following reaction formula, 3-l-menthoxypropane-1,2-diol represented by the chemical formula (IV) is produced by adding l-menthol to a 1,2-epoxy-3-halogenopropane represented by the general formula (I) (wherein X represents a halogen atom) in an organic solvent in the presence of a Lewis acid, thereby producing a 1-halogeno-3-l-menthoxypropan-2-ol represented by the general formula (II), allowing the first intermediate to react with an alkali metal salt of an aliphatic carboxylic acid having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms to produce a 1-acyloxy-2-substituted-3-l-menthoxypropane represented by the general formula (III) and then hydrolyzing the second intermediate.

Abstract: Provided is citronellol, which has an elegant rosy fragrance and is extremely useful for fragrance impartation to aromatic articles. A mixture of an alkylamine and isoprene in a molar ratio of from 1:4 to 1:4.5 is subjected to telomerization at 80 to 100° C. for 2.5 to 3.5 hours in the presence of an alkyllithium catalyst and/or phenyllithium catalyst to obtain a nerylamine compound containing 2 to 10 wt % &agr;-nerylamine compound represented by general formula (4). From this nerylamine compound, citronellol containing 2 to 10 wt % optically active 3,7-dimethyl-7-octenol is produced through the reaction steps of asymmetric isomerization, hydrolysis, and hydrogenation.

Abstract: Cis-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadienylamine containing from 2 to 10% by weight cis-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadienylamine is prepared by subjecting a mixture of an alkylamine and isoprene in a molar ratio of 1:4 to 1:4.5 to telomerization at 80 to 100° C. for from 2.5 to 3.5 hours in the presence of an alkyllithium catalyst and/or phenyllithium catalyst.

Abstract: A method for safely and efficiently producing high purity 3-l-menthoxypropane-1,2-diol and intermediates to be used in the method. As shown in the following reaction formula, 3-l-menthoxypropane-1,2-diol represented by the chemical formula (IV) is produced by adding l-menthol to a 1,2-epoxy-3-halogenopropane represented by the general formula (I) (wherein X represents a halogen atom) in an organic solvent in the presence of a Lewis acid, thereby producing a 1-halogeno-3-l-menthoxypropan-2-ol represented by the general formula (II), allowing the first intermediate to react with an alkali metal salt of an aliphatic carboxylic acid having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms to produce a 1-acyloxy-2-substituted-3-l-menthoxypropane represented by the general formula (III) and then hydrolyzing the second intermediate.