Abstract: The activity of a palladium catalyst in the carboxylation of an aralkene with carbon monoxide and water or an alcohol in the absence of oxygen can be enhanced when it is used in conjunction with (A) a ligand mixture comprising compounds corresponding to the formulas R.sub.3 ZY and R'.sub.3 Z wherein each R and R' is independently selected from alkyl, aryl and substituted aryl groups; Y is a member of Group VIA of the Periodic Table; and Z is an element having a Pauling electronegativity of 1.9-2.5 or (B) a complex ligand providing all of the elements of said mixture. The invention has particular utility in carboxylating an aralkene such as 4-isobutylstyrene or 2-methoxy-6-vinylnaphthalene to ibuprofen or naproxen or their esters; and the preferred novel ligand is usually a 50/50 mixture of phosphine and phosphine oxide.

Abstract: N-?4-(cyanoethylthiomethyl)-2-thiazolyl!guanidine--a key intermediate for preparing the pharmaceutical, famotidine--is produced by mixing in a liquid medium formed from a chemically indifferent organic solvent and water, and under an inert atmosphere, (i) a 2-guanidino-4-halomethylthiazole or a hydrohalide complex thereof, (ii) an S-(2-cyanoethyl)isothiourea or a hydrohalide complex thereof, and (iii) a strong alkali metal base. In lieu of (ii), an alkali metal salt of 2-cyanoethyl-1-thiol can be used, and in such case use of (iii) is optional, but preferable.

Abstract: N-?4-(cyanoethylthiomethyl)-2-thiazolyl!guanidine--a key intermediate for preparing the pharmaceutical, famotidine--is produced by mixing in a liquid medium formed from a chemically indifferent organic solvent and water, and under an inert atmosphere, (i) a 2-guanidino-4-halomethylthiazole or a hydrohalide complex thereof, (ii) an S-(2-cyanoethyl)isothiourea or a hydrohalide complex thereof, and (iii) a strong alkali metal base. In lieu of (ii), an alkali metal salt of 2-cyanoethyl-1-thiol can be used, and in such case use of (iii) is optional, but preferable.

Abstract: A process for preparing olefin compounds of the formula ##STR1## where A is aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, benzyl, substituted benzyl, vinyl or substituted vinyl and R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkoxy, alkythio, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, substituted aroyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, substituted heteroarylcarbonyl, trifluoromethyl or halo, which comprises reacting an organic halide of the formula A-X where X is chloro, bromo or iodo with a vinyl or substituted vinyl compound of the formula ##STR2## where R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.

Abstract: A new process for preparing aryl substituted aliphatic carboxylic acids and their esters is provided. A 1-aryl substituted olefinic compound is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of water (in aqueous conditions) or an alcohol (in anhydrous conditions) at a temperature between about 25.degree. C. and about 200.degree. C. An excess of several moles of water or of anhydrous alcohol is preferred. An acid such as hydrochloric acid may also be added. As catalyst, a mixture of a palladium compound and optionally a copper compound with a ligand mixture comprising a compound of the formula (R').sub.3 ZY and a compound of the formula (R").sub.3 Z where each R' and R" are the same or different and is alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl, and Z is any atom that has a Pauling electronegativity of between 1.9 and 2.5 and Y is a member of Group VIA of the Periodic Table of Elements.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for the haloalkylation of a first aromatic compound having at least one free ring position with a haloalkylating reagent and in the presence of a haloalkylation catalyst, said process producing a haloalkylated first aromatic compound and a dimeric reaction by-product of said first aromatic compound having at least one free ring position, the improvement comprising treating said by-product with a second aromatic compound having at least one free ring position the same or different than said first aromatic compound in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of an acid for a time and at a temperature sufficient to cleave said diarylalkane by-product and produce thereby said first aromatic compound having at least one free ring position.

Abstract: A new process for preparing aryl-substituted aliphatic carboxylic acids is provided. Aryl-substituted aliphatic ether or thioether compound is reacted with carbon monoxide in aqueous conditions at a temperature between about 25.degree. C. and about 200.degree. C. An acid such as hydrochloric acid may be added. As catalyst, a mixture of palladium or a palladium compound and a copper compound with at least one acid-stable ligand are present.

Abstract: A new process for preparing aryl substituted aliphatic carboxylic acid esters is provided. A 1-aryl substituted aliphatic halo compound is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of an alcohol in anhydrous conditions at a temperature between about 25.degree. C. and about 200.degree. C. An excess of several moles of anhydrous alcohol is preferred. An acid such as hydrochloric acid may also be added. As catalyst, a mixture of palladium or a palladium compound and a copper compound with at least one acid-stable ligand are present.

Abstract: A process for preparing alkyl esters of ibuprofen is provided. A 1-halo-1-(4-isobutylphenyl)ethane is reacted in an anhydrous medium with carbon monoxide in the presence of an alkoxide source at a temperature between about 10.degree. C. and about 200.degree. C. An excess of several moles of alcohol is preferred. An acid such as hydrogen chloride may also be added. As catalyst, a palladium compound having at least one acid-stable ligand is present; however, an excess of ligand over palladium is advantageous.

Abstract: A catalytic process for preparing aryl substituted aliphatic carboxylic acid esters is disclosed. A 1-aryl substituted olefinic compound is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of an alcohol in anhydrous conditions at a temperature between about 25.degree. C. and about 200.degree. C. An excess of several moles of anhydrous alcohol is preferred. An acid such as hydrochloric acid may also be added. As catalyst, a mixture of a palladium compound and a copper compound is used with at least one acid-stable cyclic phosphine having the formula: ##STR1## where R' is the same or different than R" and is alkyl or aryl, said aryl, either substituted or unsubstituted, and Ar' is phenyl, naphthyl, substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl and n is an integer from 3 to 6.

Abstract: A new process for preparing aliphatic carboxylic acid esters is provided. A substituted aliphatic ether or thioether compound is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of an alcohol in anhydrous conditions at a temperature between about 25.degree. C. and about 200.degree. C. An excess of several moles of anhydrous alcohol is preferred. An acid such as hydrochloric acid may also be added. As catalyst, a mixture of palladium or a palladium compound and a copper compound with at least one acid-stable ligand are present.

Abstract: A new process for preparing aryl substituted aliphatic carboxylic acid esters is provided. A 1-aryl substituted olefinic compound is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of an alcohol in anhydrous conditions at a temperature between about 25.degree. C. and about 200.degree. C. An excess of several moles of anhydrous alcohol is preferred. An acid such as hydrochloric acid may also be added. As catalyst, a mixture of a palladium compound and a copper compound with at least one acid-stable ligand are present.

Abstract: A process for the asymmetric reduction of carboxylic acids of the formula ##STR1## or the amine salts thereof, where R and R.sub.1 are the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl or haloalkyl and Ar is aryl or substituted aryl is disclosed.

Abstract: A new process for preparing aryl substituted aliphatic carboxylic acids or then alkyl esters is provided. A 1-aryl substituted olefin is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of water or an alcohol at a temperature between about 25.degree. C. and about 200.degree. C. An excess of several moles of water or alcohol is preferred. An acid such as hydrochloric acid may also be added. As catalyst, a mixture of a palladium compound and a copper compound with at least one acid-stable ligand are present.

Abstract: A ruthenium phosphine complex having catalytic, hydrogenation activity is disclosed. The catalyst as the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R' are the same or different and are C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkyl; R" is hydrogen or C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkyl; R.sub.1 is C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkyl; and n is an integer from 1 to 6.The phosphine complex is particularly useful in the asymmetric hydrogenation of unsaturated carboxylic acids or alkyl esters thereof.

Abstract: A ruthenium phosphine complex having catalytic, hydrogenation activity is disclosed. The catalyst as the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R' are the same or different and are C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkyl; R" is hydrogen or C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkyl; R.sub.1 is C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkyl; and n is an integer from 1 to 6.The phosphine complex is particularly useful in the asymmetric hydrogenation of unsaturated carboxylic acids or alkyl esters thereof.