Abstract: An electronic commerce system for enabling business transactions between one or more customers is provided. The system generally includes a customer system which provides information representative of the needs of one or more customer for the procurement of custom synthesis products and/or services; a supplier system which provides information representative of the capabilities, of one or more suppliers to supply custom synthesis products and/or services; and a business supporting system which facilitates business transactions between one or more customers and suppliers.

Abstract: A bisphosphite compound of the following formula (A): ##STR1## wherein --Ar--Ar-- is a bisarylene group represented by any one of the formulae (A-I) to (A-III) defined in the specification, and each of Z.sub.1 to Z.sub.4 is a C.sub.4-20 aromatic or heteroaromatic group which may have a substituent, wherein each of substituents on carbon atoms of an aromatic ring adjacent to the carbon atom bonded to the oxygen atom in each of Z.sub.1 to Z.sub.4, is a C.sub.0-2 group, and each pair of Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2, and Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4, are not bonded to each other.

Abstract: Osmium-catalyzed methods of addition to an olefin are discussed. In the method of asymmetric dihydroxylation of the present invention, an olefin, a chiral ligand, an organic solvent, water, an oxidant and an osmium-containing compound are combined. In the method of asymmetric oxyamination of the present invention, an olefin, a chiral ligand, an organic solvent, water, a metallochloramine derivative, an osmium-containing compound and, optionally, a tetraalkyl ammonium compound are combined. In the method of asymmetric diamination of the present invention, an olefin, a chiral ligand, an organic solvent, a metallo-chloramine derivative, an amine and an osmium-containing compound are combined. In one embodiment, an olefin, a chiral ligand which is a polymeric dihydroquinidine derivative or a dihydroquinine derivative, acetone, water, a base, an oxidant and osmium tetroxide are combined to effect asymmetric dihydroxylation of the olefin.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved process for preparing 1RS-3'RS epimer of aminated phthalideisoquinolines represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrogen atom or a lower alkoxy group, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are independently hydrogen atom, amino group or a lower alkoxy group with at least one of R.sup.3 -R.sup.6 being amino group, and R.sup.7 is a lower alkyl group. The improvement comprises, after having reduced a mixture of epimers of corresponding nitro compounds of the general formula (I) wherein the amino group is replaced by nitro group into the amino compounds (I), treating said amino compound at a temperature in the range of 20.degree.-100.degree. C. in an aliphatic lower alcohol in the presence of an alkali to epimerize 1RS-3'SR epimer of said amino compound into said 1RS-3'RS epimer thereof.