Abstract: A process for purification of a hydroxycarboxylic acid by distillation, comprising: distilling a hydroxycarboxylic acid solution containing a high-boiling point hydroxy compound comprising at least one species selected from the group consisting of alcohols and phenols having a higher boiling point than the hydroxycarboxylic acid. As a result, a hydroxycarboxylic acid suitable as a starting material for production of a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid can be obtained. The purified hydroxycarboxylic acid is further polycondensed to provide a hydroxycarboxylic acid oligomer, which is de-polymerized to provide a cyclic ester comprising a dimer of the hydroxycarboxylic acid, and the cyclic ester is converted into a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid by ring-opening polymerization thereof.

Abstract: A process for making a hydrogenated product includes providing a clarified DAS-containing fermentation broth; distilling the broth under super atmospheric pressure at a temperature of >100° C. to about 300° C. to form an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes SA, and at least about 20 wt % water; cooling the bottoms to a temperature sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a liquid portion in contact with a solid portion that is substantially pure SA; separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; recovering the solid portion; hydrogenating the solid portion in the presence of at least one hydrogenation catalyst to produce the hydrogenated product including at least one of THF, GBL or BDO; and recovering the hydrogenated product.

Abstract: A process for making a hydrogenated product includes providing a clarified DAS-containing fermentation broth, distilling the broth to form an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes MAS, at least some DAS, and at least about 20 wt % water, cooling and/or evaporating the bottoms, and optionally adding an antisolvent to the bottoms, to attain a temperature and composition sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a DAS-containing liquid portion and a MAS-containing solid portion that is substantially free of DAS, separating the solid portion from the liquid portion, recovering the solid portion, hydrogenating the second solid portion in the presence of at least one hydrogenation catalyst to produce the hydrogenated product comprising at least one of THF, GBL or BDO, and recovering the hydrogenated product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of the preparation of (S)-4-fluoromethyl-dihydro-furan-2-one of the formula by employing a dialkylmalonate of the formula wherein R1b is lower alkyl, and the use of this process for the manufacture of DPP-IV inhibitors that are useful for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases such as diabetes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for catalytically hydrogenating a hydrogenatable precursor in contact with a hydrogen-containing gas and a hydrogenation catalyst comprising one or more active hydrogenation catalyst components on a support comprising titanium dioxide in the rutile crystalline phase to produce 1,4-butanediol and, optionally, gamma-butyrolactone and/or tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hydroxyacid or hydroxyester from a reactant selected from (a) a carboxylic acid having an aldehyde or keto group; and (b) an ester of a carboxylic acid having an aldehyde or keto group; by contacting the reactant with a metal catalyst in the presence of hydrogen, wherein the metal catalyst is supported on a titanium dioxide or zirconium dioxide support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gamma-undecenolactone of formula (i), wherein a lactonic cycle can carry an unsaturation between carbon No. 2 and carbon No. 3 and is preferably saturated, RI is a possibly substituted C7 alkenyl or alkynyl group having at least one unsaturation, and preferably RI is an CH2?CH—CH2—CH2—CH2—CH2—CH2 group, the gamma-undecenolactone contains an asymetric carbon in position 4 having (R) or (S) configuration. The biosynthesis of the gamma-undecenolactone and the use thereon for perfumery and for a food flavoring agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ruthenium nanoparticles supported on non-cross-linked soluble polystyrene were prepared by reacting [RuCl2(C6H5CO2Et)]2 with polystyrene in open air. They effectively catalyze intra- and intermolecular carbenoid insertion into C—H and N—H bonds, alkene cyclopropanation, and ammonium ylide/[2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement reactions. This supported ruthenium catalyst is much more reactive than [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 and Ru(Por)CO] for catalytic intermolecular carbenoid C—H bond insertion into saturated alkanes. By using a-diazoacetamide as a substrate for intramolecular carbenoid C—H insertion, the supported ruthenium catalyst can be to recovered and reused for ten successive iterations without significant loss of activity.

Abstract: Described is a method to make liquid chemicals, such as functional intermediates, solvents, and liquid fuels from biomass-derived cellulose. The method is cascading; the product stream from an upstream reaction can be used as the feedstock in the next downstream reaction. The method includes the steps of deconstructing cellulose to yield a product mixture comprising levulinic acid and formic acid, converting the levulinic acid to ?-valerolactone, and converting the ?-valerolactone to pentanoic acid. Alternatively, the ?-valerolactone can be converted to a mixture of n-butenes. The pentanoic acid so formed can be further reacted to yield a host of valuable products. For example, the pentanoic acid can be decarboxylated yield 1-butene or ketonized to yield 5-nonanone. The 5-nonanone can be hydrodeoxygenated to yield nonane, or 5-nonanone can be reduced to yield 5-nonanol.

Abstract: A process for purification of a hydroxycarboxylic acid by distillation, comprising: distilling a hydroxycarboxylic acid solution containing a high-boiling point hydroxy compound comprising at least one species selected from the group consisting of alcohols and phenols having a higher boiling point than the hydroxycarboxylic acid. As a result, a hydroxycarboxylic acid suitable as a starting material for production of a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid can be obtained. The purified hydroxycarboxylic acid is further polycondensed to provide a hydroxycarboxylic acid oligomer, which is de-polymerized to provide a cyclic ester comprising a dimer of the hydroxycarboxylic acid, and the cyclic ester is converted into a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid by ring-opening polymerization thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a cyclic unsaturated compound, which sufficiently suppresses generation of acyclic unsaturated compounds and permits excellent yield and reaction rate. Such a method for producing a cyclic unsaturated compound is a method for producing a cyclic unsaturated compound by reacting an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid with an unsaturated organic compound, wherein the method comprises a step of reacting the ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid with the unsaturated organic compound in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: A lactone derivative that is expressed by the following formula (I).

Abstract: A substituted cyclopentanone represented by the following formula (2): (wherein R3 and R4 represent a substituent having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, may be the same as R1 and R2, respectively, and may be the same as each other) can be produced by hydrogenating the double bond in a compound represented by the following formula (1): (wherein R1 and R2 represent a substituent having 1 to 8 carbon atoms) in the presence of a transition metal catalyst by using a carboxylic acid or a specific concentration of a carboxylic acid ester as a solvent. This process can produce a substituted cyclopentanone which is useful as a jasmine fragrance, an intermediate thereof or the like, in a simple and inexpensive manner at a high cis-isomer ratio.

Abstract: Process for converting certain lactones to their alpha-methylene substituted forms using (i) a catalyst derived from a hydrotalcite or (ii) a composite catalyst comprising the hydrotalcite-derived catalyst into which at least one of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium has been incorporated.

Abstract: A 5-methylene-1,3-dioxolan-4-one derivative and a monomer and copolymer thereof and a resist composition containing the polymer or copolymer where the 5-methylene-1,3 -dioxolan-4-one derivative is of formula (1): wherein R1 represents a bridged cyclic hydrocarbon group containing 4 to 16 carbon atoms, or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms which has a bridged cyclic hydrocarbon group containing 4 to 16 carbon atoms as a substituent; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms; or R1 and R2 represent a bridged cyclic hydrocarbon group containing 4 to 16 carbon atoms together with the carbon atom to which they are bound, provided that the alkyl group and the bridged cyclic hydrocarbon group may have at least one substituent selected from a group consisting of a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms which may be optionally substituted, a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, an acyl group containing 2 to 6 car

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for hydrogenating carbonyl compounds, in particular C4-dicarboxylic acids to mixtures of tetrahydrofuran and gamma-butyrolactone, over supported rhenium catalysts, wherein rhenium and at least one further metal of groups VIII or Ib of the Periodic Table of the Elements, in particular ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), palladium (Pd), osmium (Os), iridium (Ir), platinum (Pt), copper (Cu), silver (Ag) or cobalt (Co), is applied to the support in the form of at least one bimetallic precursor compound, and also to these catalysts.

Abstract: Process for converting certain lactones to their alpha-methylene substituted forms that exhibits high conversion and selectivity.

Abstract: Process for converting certain lactones to their alpha-methylene derivatives in the liquid phase with both high conversion and selectivity using easily recoverable novel heterogeneous catalysts.

Abstract: Process for converting certain lactones to their alpha-methylene substituted forms in a supercritical or near-critical fluid phase reaction using a novel grafted catalyst that not only exhibits high initial activity (conversion), but also maintains a high level of activity with time on stream.

Abstract: Process for converting certain lactones to their alpha-methylene substituted forms that not only exhibits high initial activity (conversion), but also maintains a high level of activity with time on stream.

Abstract: Process for converting certain lactones to their alpha-methylene substituted forms that not only exhibits high initial activity (conversion), but also provides high reactor productivity (mass of product per mass of catalyst per unit of time) and sustained maintenance of a high level of activity and productivity with time on stream.

Abstract: Process for converting certain lactones to their alpha-methylene substituted forms that not only exhibits high initial activity (conversion), but also maintains a high level of activity with time on stream.

Abstract: Process for converting certain lactones to their alpha-methylene substituted forms in a supercritical or near-critical fluid phase reaction using an oxynitride catalyst or a composite oxynitride catalyst incorporating lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel synthetic process for the enriched preparation of substituted R(+)?-benzyl-?-butyrolactone (1) as shown in the drawing wherein R1 and R2 independently or in combination represent the following groups: i.e.

Abstract: Process for converting certain lactones to their alpha-methylene substituted forms using an oxynitride catalyst or a composite oxynitride catalyst incorporating lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Process for converting certain lactones to their alpha-methylene derivatives in the liquid phase using oxynitride catalysts or composite catalysts incorporating dithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium or combinations thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to 1-[(4-methyl thio)phenyl]-2-(phenyl acetoxy)-1-ethanone. This compound is convertible into 4-(4-methyl thio phenyl)-3-phenyl-2 (5H)-furanone by an economically viable process. This substituted furanone is an intermediate or starting compound for synthesising COX II inhibitor Rofecoxib. This invention also includes a process for preparing the ethanone derivative by halogenating methyl thio aceto phenone and coupling the resulting 2 halosubstituted ethanone with sodium salt of phenyl acetic acid to obtain 1-[(4-methyl thio) phenyl]-2-(phenyl acetoxy)-1-ethanone.

Abstract: In the process for the conversion of maleic acid to gamma-butyrolactone, 1.4-butanediol and/or tetrahydrofuran, a feedstream comprising maleic acid is hydrogenated in a first hydrogenation zone to produce a reaction product comprising succinic acid and unreacted hydrogen which is then supplied to a second hydrogenation zone, where succinic acid is converted to 1,4-butanediol, the temperatures of the feedstream comprising maleic acid and the first hydrogenation zone are controlled such that the temperature of maleic acid in the feedstream and the first hydrogenation zone does not exceed about 130° C., thereby minimizing the corrosive effects of the maleic acid and prolonging reactor life and improving overall process economics.

Abstract: C4-dicarboxylic acids or derivatives thereof are hydrogenated in the gas phase in a fluidized-bed reactor. It is possible to use catalyst compositions known per se.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing 5-methyl-dihydro-furan-2-one from levulinic acid in presence of a supercritical fluid, and in presence of optionally-supported metal catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing 5-methyl-dihydro-furan-2-one from levulinic acid in presence of a supercritical fluid, and in presence of optionally-supported metal catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the gas-phase hydrogenation of C4-dicarboxylic acids and/or their derivatives over a catalyst based on copper oxide to give substituted or unsubstituted &ggr;-butyrolactone and/or tetrahydrofuran, which comprises, which a first reaction zone in which the C4-dicarboxylic acid and/or its derivatives is/are reacted to give a mixture comprising a substituted or unsubstituted &ggr;-butyrolactone as main product and a subsequent second reaction zone in which the substituted or unsubstituted &ggr;-butyrolactone present in the mixture from the first hydrogenation step is reacted at a temperature lower than the temperature in the first hydrogenation step to give substituted or unsubstituted tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: This invention relates to 1-[(4-methyl thio)phenyl]-2-(phenyl acetoxy)-1-ethanone. This compound is convertible into 4-(4-methyl thio phenyl)-3-phenyl-2 (5H)-furanone by an economically viable process. This substituted furanone is an intermediate or starting compound for synthesising COX II inhibitor Rofecoxib. This invention also includes a process for preparing the ethanone derivative by halogenating methyl thio aceto phenone and coupling the resulting 2 halosubstituted ethanone with sodium salt of phenyl acetic acid to obtain 1-[(4-methyl thio) phenyl]-2-(phenyl acetoxy)-1-ethanone.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst which comprises palladium metal as the main catalyst, tin metal or a mixture of tin and additional metals as the promoter, in combination with an alkali or alkaline earth metal compound, supported on the outer surface of a porous carrier. The catalyst is used in the process for producing allyl acetate through the oxacylation of propylene, acetic acid and oxygen in a vapor phase. The catalyst of the present invention exhibits high catalytic activity, high catalytic selectivity and high catalytic life, which greatly increases the economic utility of the oxacylation process.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a compound of formula (II) wherein R1 and R2 are independently H, alkyl, alkoxy, oxoalkyl, alkenyl, aryl or arylalkyl whether unsubstituted or substituted, optionally interrupted by one or more hetero atoms, straight chain or branched chain, hydrophilic, hydrophobic or fluorophilic; R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently or all hydrogen or halogen; provided that at least two of the R3, R4, R5 and R6 are halogens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of optically enriched substituted R(+)&bgr;-benzyl-&ggr;-butyrolactones of the general formula 1, 1

Abstract: The invention provides a polymer comprising recurring units of formula (1—1) or (1-2) wherein k is 0 or 1, m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and n is 1 or 2 and having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 500,000. A resist composition comprising the polymer as a base resin is sensitive to high-energy radiation, has excellent sensitivity, resolution, and etching resistance, and lends itself to micropatterning with electron beams or deep-UV.

Abstract: A textured catalyst having a hydrothermally-stable support, a metal oxide and a catalyst component is described. Methods of conducting aqueous phase reactions that are catalyzed by a textured catalyst are also described. The invention also provides methods of making textured catalysts and methods of making chemical products using a textured catalyst.

Abstract: A process is described for the co-production of maleic anhydride and at least one C4 compound selected from butane-1,4-diol, &ggr;-butyrolactone, and tetrahydrofuran in which maleic anhydride is produced by partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon feedstock selected from C4 hydrocarbons and benzene to yield a vaporous reaction effluent stream comprising maleic anhydride, water, unconverted hydrocarbon feedstock, and carbon oxides. A part of the maleic anhydride present in the vaporous reaction effluent stream is condensed to form a crude maleic anhydride stream and leave a residual vaporous stream containing residual amounts of maleic anhydride. Further maleic anhydride is absorbed from the residual vaporous stream by absorption in an organic solvent, water or an aqueous solution. Maleic anhydride is then recovered from the loaded liquid absorptions medium.

Abstract: A process for producing 5-methylbutyrolactone from levulinic acid utilizing an optionally supported metal catalyst is described. The catalyst has both a hydrogenation and a ring-closing function.

Abstract: A process for the production of tetrahydrofuran, gamma butyrolactone, 1,4-butane diol and the like from a hydrogenatable precursor such as maleic acid, succinic acid, corresponding esters and their mixtures and the like in the presence of hydrogen and a noble metal catalyst, wherein oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide, oxygen or air are used to regenerate spent noble metal catalyst for further use in the process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a 4-step process for the preparation of alkyl esters of 1-methylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid which comprises the steps of (1) converting &ggr;-butyrolactone to &agr;-methyl-&ggr;-butyrolactone; (2) converting the &agr;-methyl-&ggr;-butyrolactone from step (1) to an alkyl 4-halo-2-methylbutyrate; (3) producing a xylene solution of the alkyl 4-halo-2-methylbutyrate; and (4) contacting the xylene solution of an alkyl 4-halo-2-methylbutyrate from step (3) with an alkali metal alkoxide under conditions of temperature and pressure which causes vaporization of (i) an alkanol as it is formed and (ii) an alkyl 1-methylcyclopropanecarboxylate as it is formed from the alkyl 4-halo-2-methylbutyrate. Also disclosed are processes whereby the alkyl 1-methylcyclopropanecarboxylate, prepared as described above, is converted to 1-methylcyclopropylamine.

Abstract: A process for producing 5-methylbutyrolactone from levulinic acid utilizing an optionally supported metal catalyst is described. The catalyst has both a hydrogenation and a ring-closing function.

Abstract: Process for the catalytic preparation of &ggr;-butyrolactone having the general formula by reacting an olefin with the general formula R1CHCH2, with a carboxylic acid with a general formula R2CH2COOH, wherein R1 and R2 represent the substituent R1 and R2 in the butyrolactone, which reaction is performed in the presence of oxygen in contact with a catalyst comprising manganese and at least one basic metal oxide.

Abstract: Lactone compounds of formula (1) are novel and useful as monomers to form base resins for use in chemically amplified resist compositions adapted for micropatterning lithography. Letter k is 0 or 1 and m is an integer of 1-8.

Abstract: Ketones and aldehydes are hydrogenated to the corresponding alcohol or alkyl group, using H2 gas as the stoichiometric reductant, and organometallic ruthenium complexes as the catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel podophyllotoxin dimers having structural formula I wherein R is H or CH3 and Z is aryl or subsituted aryl compound selected form the group counting of phenylene, naphthalene, p-terpbhnyl, dimethoxy benzidine and diphenyl ether and a process for the preparation of said novel podophyllotoxin dimers. The new podophyllotoxin dimers, pawculaty 4-arylamino derivatives of the podophyllotoxin dimers of the present invention as useful as potent inhibitors of DNA-topoisomerase II and are also useful as antitumour agents.

Abstract: A chiral catalyst is disclosed together with methods of using it for enantioselective syntheses. The chiral catalyst includes a nucleus with two metal atoms that has four bridging ligands oriented radially to the axis of the nucleus. Each of these ligands includes a two complexing atoms each complexed to one of the metal atoms. At least one of the bridging ligands includes a chiral center which is bonded to one of the complexing atoms. Preferably, all four of the bridging ligands include a chiral center bonded to one of the complexing atoms. The catalyst of the invention has been found to be useful in catalyzing carbenoid transformation reactions such as cyclopropanation.

Abstract: A process is described for the co-production of maleic anhydride and at least one C4 compound selected from butane-1,4-diol, ?-butyrolactone, and tetrahydrofuran in which maleic anhydride is produced by partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon feedstock selected from C4 hydrocarbons and benzene to yield a vaporous reaction effluent stream comprising maleic anhydride, water, unconverted hydrocarbon feedstock, and carbon oxides. A part of the maleic anhydride present in the vaporous reaction effluent stream is condensed to form a crude maleic anhydride stream and leave a residual vaporous stream containing residual amounts of maleic anhydride. Further maleic anhydride is absorbed from the residual vaporous stream by absorption in an organic solvent, water or an aqueous solution. Maleic anhydride is then recovered from the loaded liquid absorptions medium.

Abstract: Preparation of 4-hydroxy substituted butyrolactones is described. A process for the preparation of 3-hydroxybutyrolactone, 1.2.4-trihydroxybutane and 3,4-dihydroxy acid methyl ester from malic acid is particularly described. The preparation of 4-hydroxymethyl-4-hydroxybutyric acid -1-methyl ester and 4-hydroxymethyl butyrolactone is particularly described. The compounds are intermediates to various pharmaceutical and agricultural products.