Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing N-(methyl aryl)-2-lactams, N-alkyl-2-lactams, and N-(methyl cycloalkyl)-2-lactams by reductive amination of lactones with aryl or alkyl cyano compounds utilizing a metal catalyst, which is optionally supported.

Abstract: An article carrier assembly for attachment to a vehicle roof panel comprises two siderails and at least one cross-rail releasably stowed on one of the siderails. Attachment of the cross-rail to the siderails is carried out with the use of latching mechanisms. The mechanism is composed of a stanchion mounted on the cross-rail, with a lever pivotally placed therein, and of a lock plate assembly slidably attached to the siderail. For deployment of the assembly, the stanchion is put on the lock plate assembly which becomes engaged therewith upon turning the lever. The structure of the mechanism contributes to preventing the roof panel from being damaged upon the deployment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing N-(methyl aryl)-2-lactams, N-alkyl-2-lactams, and N-(methyl cycloalkyl)-2-lactams by reductive amination of lactones with aryl or alkyl cyano compounds utilizing a metal catalyst, which is optionally supported.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing 5-methyl-N-(methyl aryl)-2-pyrrolidone, 5-methyl-N-(methyl cycloalkyl)-2-pyrrolidone and 5-methyl-N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone by reductive amination of levulinic acid with aryl cyano compounds utilizing a metal catalyst, which is optionally supported.

Abstract: This invention relates to neurotrophic low molecular weight, small molecule N-linked ureas and carbamates of heterocyclic thioesters having an affinity for FKBP-type immunophilins, and their use as inhibitors of the enzyme activity associated with immunophilin proteins, particularly peptidyl-prolyl isomerase, or rotamase, enzyme activity.

Abstract: A method for purifying lactams by liquid-liquid extraction and/or processing with an ion exchange resin is disclosed. The method is useful for purifying lactams produced by the cyclising vapour-phase hydrolysis of an aliphatic aminonitrile, and comprises removing the major part of the ammonia before subjecting the lactam to liquid-liquid extraction by means of a solvent including an acidic solvent and/or contacting said lactam with a cation exchange resin. In most applications of the lactam, it is preferable to carry out a hydrogenation step on the compounds of the lactam solution comprising unsaturations, prior to or in addition to the liquid-liquid extraction step and/or the acidic resin contact step. The purification method may also include an oxidation step in addition to or instead of the hydrogenation step. Said method is preferably combined with a distillation step in the presence of a base.

Abstract: A process for preparing cyclic lactams by reacting amino carbonitriles with water in liquid phase in the presence of heterogeneous catalysts based on titanium dioxide, zirconium oxide, cerium oxide and aluminum oxide.

Abstract: Cyclic lactams are prepared by reacting amino carbonitriles with water in liquid phase in a fixed bed reactor in the presence of heterogeneous catalysts which have no soluble constituents under the reaction conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel S-nitroso derivatives of ACE inhibitors and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the S-nitrosothiol derivatives of the invention together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.The invention also relates to methods for treating various pathophysiological conditions including acute myocardial infarction, left ventricular dysfunction without overt heart failure, hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, vascular thrombosis, Raynauds syndrome, scleroderma, toxemia of pregnancy, acute renal failure, diabetic nephropathy, and renal artery stenosis, and to methods of inhibiting ACE and effecting vasodilation comprising administering the S-nitrosothiol derivatives of the ACE inhibitors of the invention to an animal.

Abstract: The magnesium complexes of cyclic hydrocarbons containing conjugated dienes, such as 1,2-dimethylenecycloalkanes, and 1,3-butadienes, are readily prepared in high yields using highly reactive magnesium. Reactions of these (2-butene-1,4 diyl)magnesium reagents with electrophiles such as dibromoalkanes, alkylditosylates, alkylditriflates, bromoalkylnitriles, esters, or amides serve as a convenient method for synthesizing carbocyclic systems. Significantly, carbocycles prepared by this method contain functional groups such as the exocyclic double bond or a keto group in one of the rings which could be used for further elaboration of these molecules. Furthermore, fused bicyclic systems containing a substituted five-membered ring can be conveniently prepared at high temperatures by the reactions of (2-butene-1,4-diyl)magnesium complexes with carboxylic esters or acid halides whereas low temperatures lead to regioselective synthesis of .beta.,.gamma.-unsaturated ketones. Additionally, .gamma.

Abstract: 2-Azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-3-one is produced by Diels-Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene and methanesulfonyl cyanide and then hydrolytic cleavage of the methanesulfonyl group.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a 2-pyrrolidinone of the general formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl, or C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 -cycloalkyl optionally substituted by C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, or phenyl optionally substituted by C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl,by reacting a 3-cyanopropionate of the general formula II ##STR2## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 have the meanings stated above and R.sup.3 denotes C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkyl,with hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure, wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of ammonia and in contact with a catalyst containing cobalt, manganese, and phosphorus.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of cyanoalkyl lactams by the reaction of an unsaturated nitrile with a lactam, said cyanoalkyl lactam of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is H, or methyl, R.sub.1 is H, methyl or ethyl and n is a number ranging from 2-11 and wherein each of the methylene groups may carry a lower alkyl substituent as shown. The improvement comprises: reacting said lactam with an alpha-beta unsaturated nitrile having from 3-6 carbon atoms in the presence of a catalytic amount of a diazabicycloalkene of the formula ##STR2## wherein R, R.sub.1 and n have the above meaning. Typically, acrylonitrile is reacted with .epsilon.-caprolactam in the presence of diazabicycloundecene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a proline derivative of the formula ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These derivatives have useful utilities such as activity of inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme.

Abstract: A novel benzoquinone derivative of the general formula: ##STR1## [wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and each is methyl or methoxy; n is an integer of 0 to 21; m is 0 or 1, Z is a group of the formula: ##STR2## (wherein R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different and each is hydrogen or an alkyl group which may optionally be substituted or, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together with the adjacent nitrogen atom form a morpholino group), a group of the formula: --COR.sub.5 (wherein R.sub.5 is an .alpha.-amino acid residue or a substituted or unsubstituted glucosamine residue), a group of the formula: ##STR3## (wherein R.sub.6 is a divalent hydrocarbon group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms), a group of the formula: ##STR4## (wherein R.sub.6 has the same meaning as defined above) or a group of the formula: --CH.dbd.CH).sub.l COR.sub.7 (wherein l is an integer of 1 to 4 and R.sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to carboxyalkyl dipeptides which are inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme and are useful as antihypertensive agents and in the treatment of congestive heart failure.The compounds of the present invention are compounds of the formulae ##STR1## and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R and R.sup.6 are the same or different and are hydroxy or lower alkoxy;R.sup.1 is benzyloxylower alkyl or benzylthiolower alkyl;R.sup.2 is benzylthiomethyl, 2-phenylethylthiomethyl, naphthylmethylthiomethyl, methylbenzylthiomethyl; 2-(carboxyphenyl)ethyl or 2-(alkoxycarbonylphenyl)ethyl; andR.sup.3 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or aminolower alkyl.

Abstract: A process for selective preparation of lactams which comprises contacting, in the vapor phase, an aliphatic or aromatic aminonitrile having the formula HR.sub.1 N--D--CN wherein D is a divalent organic moiety and wherein R.sub.1 is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl or hydrogen with an effective amount of a silica catalyst, in the form of substantially spherical beads having a BET surface area greater than about 250 m.sup.2 /g, preferably between 300 and 500 m.sup.2 /g, and an average pore diameter less than about 20 nanometers preferably 8-10 nanometers at a temperature in the range of about 200.degree. to about 400.degree. C. and at a hydrogen or inert gas flow with a pressure in the range of about 0 to about 300 kPa, in the presence of: (a) ammonia in an amount equal to from 0 to about 50 mole percent of the molar amount of aliphatic or aromatic aminonitrile present; and (b) water in an amount from at least about 1.

Abstract: Process for the selective conversion of dinitriles into the corresponding lactam by treating the dinitrile with an effective amount of a hydrogenation catalyst such as copper chromite in combination with a co-catalyst, such as titania, at a temperature in the range of from about 200.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C. and at a pressure of at least 50 kPa in the presence of water and hydrogen.