Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of travoprost of formula (I), comprising that, the compound of formula (II), is stereoselectively reduced, the resulting compound of formula (III), is if desired crystallized, the lactone group of the compound of formula (III) is reduced, the p-phenyl-benzoyl protecting group of the thus obtained compound of formula (IV), is removed, the resulting triol of formula (V), is, if desired after crystallization, transformed by Wittig reaction into the acid of formula (VI), which is then esterified.

Abstract: A method for removing supernatant from a sample tube. The method includes providing a sample tube having a pellet at a bottom of the sample tube and a supernatant liquid above the pellet, visually inspecting the sample tube to determine one or more geometric properties of the pellet, and determining an expected height of a top surface of the pellet based on the one or more geometric properties determined in the visual inspection step. The method also includes inserting an aspirator into the supernatant liquid, moving the aspirator downwards towards the expected height of the top surface of the pellet, and aspirating the supernatant liquid through the aspirator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of travoprost of formula (I), comprising that, the compound of formula (II), is stereo selectively reduced, the resulting compound of formula (III), is if desired crystallized, the lactone group of the compound of formula (III) is reduced, the p-phenyl-benzoyl protecting group of the thus obtained compound of formula (IV), is removed, the resulting triol of formula (V), is, if desired after crystallization, transformed by Wittig reaction into the acid of formula (VI), which is then esterified.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a prostaglandin derivative of formula (A): which comprises reacting an aldehyde represented by formula (1): with a 2-oxoalkyl phosphonate in a reaction solvent under the presence of alkali hydroxide as sole base. By carrying out the reaction using an alkali hydroxide as sole base in the reaction system, the desired prostaglandin derivative can be obtained by simple procedures and with high yield.

Abstract: This invention is directed to compounds of formula (I): where A, B, D, E, m, and R1-R5 are as described herein, as single stereoisomers or as mixtures of stereoisomers, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, clathrates, or prodrugs thereof, which compounds are useful in treating respiratory diseases associated with influenza A viruses, such as for example H5N1 and its mutations. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of preparing the compounds of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to compounds of formula (I): where A, B, D, E, m, and R1-R5 are as described herein, as single stereoisomers or as mixtures of stereoisomers, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, clathrates, or prodrugs thereof, which compounds are useful in treating respiratory diseases associated with influenza A viruses, such as for example H5N1 and its mutations. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of preparing the compounds of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and effective process for the synthesis of 17-phenyl-18,19,20-trinor-PGF2? and its derivatives, including the anti-glaucoma drugs Bimatoprost and Latanoprost. The benefit of the present invention rises inter alia from the fact that a major intermediate involved in the synthesis of the above compounds may be isolated from a mixture containing also an undesired isomer, by crystallization. In addition, the undesired isomer may be oxidized to give the starting compound, which is then recycled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of the anti-glaucoma drug Latanoprost, in good yield, in large amounts and with desired purity. Also disclosed are novel intermediates for the above process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of the anti-glaucoma drug Latanoprost, in good yield, in large amounts and with desired purity. Also disclosed are novel intermediates for the above process.

Abstract: This invention relates to dihydro-furan-2-one derivatives, their intermediates and methods of manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel substituted &bgr;,&ggr;-fused lactones, to processes for their preparation and to their use for the prevention and/or treatment of disorders caused by hyper- or hypofunction of the glutamatergic system, in particular of cerebral ischaemias, craniocerebral trauma, states of pain or CNS-mediated spasms.

Abstract: The use of nitroethane derivatives of the formula I where: R1 is hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, halogen, cyano or thiocyanato; R2 is hydrogen, formyl; halogen- or C1-C3-alkoxy-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C2-C6-alkenylcarbonyl, C4-C6-alkyldienylcarbonyl or C2-C6-alkynylcarbonyl; A is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl, naphthyl, quinolyl, quinazolyl, quinoxalyl, 1-methylindolyl, 1-methylbenzimidazolyl, 2-methylindazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, triazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl or triazinyl, pyranyl or thiopyranyl; as microbicides is described.

Abstract: A method for reduction of an allyl alcohol-type compound, specific to its allylic hydroxyl group, being carried out without any side reactions such as reduction of other portions of the compound or allylic rearrangement, which comprises treating the compound with trialkylsilane in the presence of AlX.sub.3, wherein X refers to a halogen atom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of prostaglandin precursors of formula I ##STR1## as well as their enantiomers in which X is A--W or W--A,A is a --C.tbd.C-- group,W is a hydroxymethylene group, in which the OH group can be functionally modified by etherification or esterification,D is a straight-chain or branched-chain alkylene group with 2-5 C atoms each or a ##STR2## group, n i s 1 to 3,E is a --C.tbd.C-- group or a --CR.sub.3 .dbd.CR.sub.4 group with R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each meaning a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group,R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group, which can be functionally modified as in W,R.sub.2 is a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl group with 1-7 C atoms, characterized in that vinyl bromides of formula II ##STR3## in which Z means the group ##STR4## and R.sub.1, W, D, E and R.sub.2 have the above-indicated meanings and hydroxy groups unprotected in R.sub.1 and W or represented by an optionally substituted benzoyl radical, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: The primary hydroxy group of Corey lactone diols is optically selectively acylated to obtain the desired optically active ester and/or diol. The mixture of Corey lactone diols of formulae (Ia) and (Ib): ##STR1## is reacted with an acylating agent optically selectively in the presence of an enzyme and/or a microorganism thereby to acylate, isolate and purify the primary alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for the production of a ketolactone of formula III ##STR1## which comprises contacting an aldehyde lactone of formula I ##STR2## with a .beta.-ketophosphonate (X.sub.1 --O--).sub.2 --PO--CH.sub.2 --CO--X.sub.15 (II). The ketolactone (III) is a useful intermediate in the synthesis of prostaglandins.

Abstract: New optically active intermediates and processes thereto are provided for use in synthesizing therapeutically active prostaglandins of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; from a compound of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 is as above and R.sup.2 is hydrogen or a carboxy blocking group convertible to an acid by hydrolysis.

Abstract: Arenes, such as benzoic acid and substituted benzoic acids, are readily thallated by thallium(III) compounds such as the trifluoroacetate and subsequently reacted with palladium chloride and simple olefins, dienes, allylic halides, vinyl halides, vinyl esters, or unsaturated cyclopropanes or unsaturated cyclobutanes to give isocoumarins.

Abstract: The prostacyclins 7-fluoro-6,9-epoxy-16-substituted-15-hydroxyprost-[4 or 5,13]-dienoic acids and esters useful as anti-secretory agents, blood pressure lowering agents, anti-ulcerogenic agents, anti-hypertensive agents, bronchodilation agents and for combating gastro-hyperacidity and as anti-blood platelet aggregating agents.

Abstract: New optically active intermediates and processes thereto are provided for use in synthesizing therapeutically active prostaglandins of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; from a compound of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 is as above and R.sup.2 is hydrogen or a carboxy blocking group convertible to an acid by hydrolysis.

Abstract: Naturally occurring iridoids provide the starting material for a unique synthesis sequence to produce prostaglandin intermediates. The iridoid lactone is hydrogenated, converted to an acetal, and rings opened to introduce the carbonyl octenyl side chain in six steps. The intermediate can be converted to prostaglandin as previously demonstrated.