Abstract: The present invention provides an economical route to environmentally friendly polymeric coatings with a high content of raw materials from renewable resources. These polymeric coatings offer performance characteristics that are competitive with conventional coating systems. The unique polymers on which this invention is based are copolymers of triglyceride oils, such as soybean oil, linseed oil, or another natural oil, with a vinyl compound, such as an acrylate or methacrylate, or a vinyl aromatic monomer. The present invention more specifically discloses a water dispersible, self-crosslinkable prepolymer composition which is comprised of a triglyceride oil having appended thereto (1) hydroxyl groups, (2) epoxy groups, (3) moieties which contain at least one aldehyde group or at least one ketone group, and (4) moieties which contain at least one vinyl and/or substituted vinyl group. In one embodiment of this invention the moiety which contains at least one vinyl group is derived from maleic anhydride.

Abstract: Process for the production of saturated monocarboxylic acids and triglycerides of saturated carboxylic acids having more than one acid functionstarting from non-modified vegetable oils containing triglycerides of unsaturated fattyacids, comprising the oxidative cleavage of the unsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: A process for the production of carboxylic acids and their derivatives comprising the steps of: (c) reacting a derivative of an unsaturated fatty acid with an oxidizing compound in the presence of a catalyst capable of catalysing the reaction of oxidation of the double olefinic bond of the derivative of the unsaturated fatty acid so as to obtain as intermediate product of reaction a vicinal diol; and (d) reacting said intermediate compound with oxygen, or a compound containing oxygen, in the presence of a catalyst capable of catalysing the reaction of oxidation of the hydroxyl groups of the vicinal diol to carboxylic groups, characterized in that both of the steps (a) and (b) are carried out in the absence of added organic solvent and in that the water/diol ratio in the reaction of step (b) is less than 1:1.

Abstract: Perfluorinated esters of alkanoyl-L-carnitine of the formula (I): are useful as cationic lipids for the intracellular delivery of pharmacologically active compounds.

Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed for administering pyruvate in high doses to mammals, including humans. The method and composition do not produce an excessive acid load, salt load, or nitrogen load. Bioavailability of pyruvate from the composition is high.

Abstract: Aromatic acid-derived lipophilic polyhalogenated compounds are provided for use as contrast agents in diagnostic imaging or as therapeutic agents. These compounds are particularly useful when incorporated into an oil-in-water emulsion for tissue-specific delivery to the liver. For hepatocyte-selective delivery, the emulsion is chylomicron remnant-like by being in a size range of 50 to 200 nm and having a composition simulating naturally-occuring chylomicron remnants.

Abstract: The preparation of magnesium benzyl fluoromalonate and other equivalent materials, the synthetic equivalents of the --CH.sub.2 F moiety, is described. Reaction between these reagents and the in situ-formed imidazolides of various carboxylic acids gives beta-keto-alpha-fluoroesters, which upon hydrogenation and spontaneous decarboxylation yields fluoromethyl ketones in excellent yields. The overall transformation from RCOOH to RCOCH.sub.2 F is thus illustrated.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a tautomeric mixture of compounds of the formulas ##STR1## wherein W is hydrogen or C.sub.6 H.sub.13, which comprises treating a compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R is unsubstituted or substituted alkoxy, arylalkoxy, aryloxy or amine and R.sup.1 is hydrogen or when R is alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, substituted amine, unsubstituted or substituted arylalkoxy R.sup.1 can also be metal, with a compound of the formula ##STR3## wherein W is as described above, both X and Y are reducible groups or X is hydrogen and Y is a reducible group or Y is hydrogen and X is a reducible group and, Z is hydroxy or a leaving group to form the compound of formula IV ##STR4## wherein W, X, Y and R are as defined above, the compound of formula IV is treated with a low valent metal to form a tautomeric mixture of compounds of formulas I and Ia, which are useful in the synthesis of tetrahydrolipstatin.