Abstract: A process directed to the preparation of acetals of malondialdehyde by reacting alkylvinyl ethers or esters with ortho formates in the gas phase with a heterogeneous catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing lower alkyl fatty esters from fatty acids and lower alcohols, wherein lower alkyl fatty esters are produced in higher yield with a reduction in the amount of the remaining fatty acids. The process of the present invention comprises bringing fatty acids into contact with gaseous lower alcohols in fixed bed(s) charged with a weakly acidic solid catalyst by countercurrent operation, by co-current operation and subsequent countercurrent operation or by pseudo-countercurrent operation, thus feeding and reacting the fatty acids and lower alcohols in fixed-bed reactor(s) charged with a weakly acidic solid catalyst to produce lower alkyl fatty esters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a diglyceride, which includes: in an enzyme-packed tower which includes an immobilized lipase preparation, carrying out an esterification reaction between: (1) an acyl group donor selected from the group including a fatty acid, a lower alcohol ester thereof, and a mixture thereof; and (2) an acyl group acceptor selected from the group including glycerol, a monoglyceride, and a mixture thereof; to obtain a reaction fluid from the enzyme-packed tower; reducing a water content or a lower alcohol content in the reaction fluid; and subsequent to the reducing, recirculating the reaction fluid to the enzyme-packed tower, wherein a residence time of the reaction fluid in the enzyme-packed tower is 120 seconds or less; to obtain a diglyceride. According to the present invention, a high-purity glyceride can be provided at a high yield in a short period of time.

Abstract: A process for the carbonate-catalyzed alcoholysis of fatty acid glycerides is disclosed, wherein an alcohol (e.g., a C1-C6 mono-, di- or trialcohol) is reacted with a fatty acid glyceride (e.g., a plant or animal derived triglyceride) at elevated temperatures and superatmospheric pressures to give high yields of the corresponding ester. The preferred catalysts are the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or zinc carbonates, with calcium carbonate being especially preferred because of its ready availability and physical integrity under reaction conditions. The alcoholysis reaction may be carried out in a single reactor, or on a continuous basis using a plug flow reactor.

Abstract: A process for the transesterification of fat and/or oil of biological origin by means of alcoholysis comprises the following steps:

Abstract: A process for the branching of saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acids and/or alkyl esters thereof comprises subjecting the fatty acids and/or alkyl esters to a skeletal isomerization reaction using a catalyst comprising a crystalline porous structure having incorporated therein a metal to form metal sites on said catalyst and isolating branched fatty acids, alkyl esters thereof, or mixtures thereof, from a reaction mixture obtained by said skeletal isomerization reaction. The catalyst used in the isomerization reaction is preferably a zeolite catalyst containing metal sites of a Group VIII metal. The process produces a mixture of fatty acids and/or alkyl esters that contain significant quantities of branched molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyglycerol partial esters of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched fatty acids and polyfunctional carboxylic acids, which are obtainable by esterification of a polyglycerol mixture with saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched fatty acids having 12 to 22 carbon atoms and polyfunctional carboxylic acids having 4 to 54 carbon atoms and a mean functionality of from 2 to 2.4, the degree of esterification of the polyglycerol mixture being between 30 and 75%.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of a compound of formula I wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted aryl group, R2 represents an optionally substituted alkyl group, and R3 and R4 each individually represent an alkyl group; which comprises heating a mixture of a compound of formula II an alcohol, a tri-alkoxymethane, an acid and, optionally, an inert diluent.

Abstract: An electrochemical process for hydrogenating an unsaturated fatty acid, mixtures of two or more fatty acids, or the unsaturated fatty acid constituents of an edible or non-edible oil's triglycerides is performed using a solid polymer electrolyte reactor. Membrane electrode assemblies consist of a cation exchange membrane onto which porous anode and cathode electrodes are attached. As the electrodes are permeable, reactant and products enter and leave the membrane/cathode and membrane/anode reaction zones via the back sides of the electrodes. Hydrogen is generated in situ by the electro-reduction of protons that are formed at the anode and which migrate through the ion exchange membrane for reaction with the fifty acids or fatty acid constituents. In the disclosed process, only protons (H+ ions) carry the current between the anode and the cathode. The need for a supporting electrolyte to conduct electricity has been circumvented.

Abstract: A cobalt catalytic system that makes it possible to obtain branched compounds from fatty substances by reacting simple olefins on polyunsaturated esters, which may or may not be conjugated, is described.The compounds that are obtained may be hydrogenated and used as lubricant bases.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of macrocyclic esters or lactones in a two-stage reaction, which entails effecting linear oligomerization of monomers having a number of carbon atoms corresponding to the macrocycle and effecting cyclizing deoligomerization, wherein both steps are conducted in the presence of a complex compound of trivalent iron.

Abstract: A process for producing a surfactant composition by partially saponifying an alkoxylated triglyceride having the formula: ##STR1## with an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide and recovering a surfactant composition comprising soap and moisturizing agents comprised of alkoxylated monoglycerides and unreacted alkoxylated triglycerides.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a linear .omega.-formyl-carboxylic acid or a corresponding linear formylnitrile compound starting from an internally unsaturated C.sub.4 -C.sub.12 carboxylic acid or a corresponding ester or nitrile by means of hydroformylation in the presence of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and a catalyst system, wherein the hydroformylation is carried out in an aqueous medium and in that the catalyst system comprises platinum and a water-soluble organic bidentate ligand.

Abstract: A process is provided for the fatty acid esterification of propoxylated glycerin wherein fatty acids stripped from the esterifier and/or fatty acids stripped from the esterification product are scrubbed by contact with a scrubbing liquid which is maintained at a temperature above the fatty acid melting point.

Abstract: A biodegradable lubricating base oil obtained by carrying out an addition reaction of an alkylene oxide and a transesterification in a mixture of fats and oils, a polyhydric alcohol or an aliphatic carboxylic acid, and an alkylene oxide, the mixture containing 5 to 150 mol of the alkylene oxide to 1 mol of the fats and oils; a biodegradable lubricating base oil obtained by carrying out esterification of all or part of the hydroxyl group in the above fats and oils derivative using an aliphatic carboxylic acid or ester derivative thereof. Further, a biodegradable lubricating oil composition containing the biodegradable lubricating base oil and the use thereof are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for introducing nucleic acids into cells. The method involves exposing the cells to a compound having formula (1), in which w is a nucleic acid, x is a peptide or amino acid, y is a linker having a chain length equivalent to 1 to 20 carbon atoms or is absent, R.sub.4 is H ir CH.sub.2 O--R.sub.3 ; and R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and are either hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, hydroxyl or an acyl group derived from a fatty acid having a carbon chain of 3 to 24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated, with the proviso that at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is an acyl group derived from a fatty acid, or to a compound having the formula (2): w . . . xyNHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OR.sub.5, in which w is a nucleic acid, x is a peptide or amino acid, y is a linker having a chain length equivalent to 1 to 20 carbon atoms or absent, R.sub.5 is an acyl group derived from a fatty acid having a carbon chain of 3 to 24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated.

Abstract: A strain of Pseudomonas Sp. bacterium (NRRL B-18602) has been discovered which is capable of converting oleic acid to the novel compound, 7,10-dihydroxy-8-octadecenoic acid (DOD). The production of DOD is unique in that it involves a hydroxylation at two positions and a rearrangement of the double bond of the substrate molecule. The new multifunctional, long-chain aliphatic acid has potential utility as a plasticizer and as a source of intermediates in the synthesis of specialty chemicals.

Abstract: Hydrogenated canola oils having improved oxidative stability are disclosed. These oils have relatively low levels of trans-fatty acids and saturated fatty acids, yet possess an oxidative stability of greater than 300 AOM hours. Such oils can be produced by hydrogenation of refined, bleached canola oil extracted from Brassicaceae seeds having elevated levels of oleic acid and reduced levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Brassica lines producing seeds having such fatty acid profiles are disclosed. Hydrogenated oils may be fractionated to obtain canola oils that are liquid at or below room temperature and have relatively low levels of trans-fatty acids and saturated fatty acids, yet have an oxidative stability of greater than 300 AOM hours.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of measuring a cloud point of polyglycerol-fatty acid ester comprising;adding polyglycerol-fatty acid ester to an aqueous solution of a salt, a polyhydric alcohol, or a mixture thereof to prepare a homogeneous aqueous polyglycerol-fatty acid ester solution;heating the obtained homogeneous aqueous solution to allow to change the homogeneous aqueous solution into a heterogeneous aqueous solution; andmeasuring a temperature at which the homogeneous aqueous solution changes into the heterogeneous aqueous solution.

Abstract: Methods for stereospecific synthesis of 9-cis olefins and retinoids. In one particular aspect, a cis olefin is generated via a lactol ring opening with complete retention of double bond configuration.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing 9-cis-retinoic acid, all-trans-retinoic acid or 9-nor-retinoic acid is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of adding a Grignard reagent of ##STR1## to 2,2,6 trimethyl cyclohexanone is disclosed. R is a methyl group or H and the CH.sub.2 --OH group is in either the cis or trans orientation relative to the HC.tbd.C- group. The resulting product is converted into retinoic acid. In the preferable form of the present invention, a tritium-labelled retinoic acid is synthesized, wherein the labelling is at the C.sub.20 position. A preparation of tritium-labelled 9-cis-retinoic acid with a specific activity of greater than 65 Ci/mmol is also enclosed. In a most preferred embodiment, the specific activity is greater than 75 Ci/mmol.

Abstract: Process for esterifying a polyphenolic oligomer extract of plant origin by the action of an acid chloride, the compositions obtained by this process and their use in human therapy or in cosmetics are described. The extract is placed in a liquid medium which is not a solvent for the extract but which is a solvent for the ester(s) to be obtained, so as to obtain a suspension. At least one aliphatic tertiary amine of low boiling point is added to the suspension in the presence of a catalytic amount of at least one organic base other than pyridine. At least one fatty acid chloride is introduced into this mixture, the reaction mixture being stirred at a temperature below 40.degree. C. and then concentrated by evaporation in order to obtain an esterified extract.

Abstract: Propoxylated glycerin is esterified with excess fatty acid by a process wherein the temperature is increased incrementally and the pressure is reduced incrementally during the course of esterification while removing the water formed as a by-product. Rapid conversion of the hydroxyl groups of the propoxylated glycerin is achieved while minimizing losses of fatty acid. The fatty acid-esterified propoxylated glycerin obtained thereby is useful as a reduced calorie fat substitute.

Abstract: Methods for the synthesis of 9-cis monotritium-labeled retinoids, and their use in the discovery of Retinoid X Receptor ligands are provided. In addition, 9-cis monotritium-labeled retinoids, as well as novel intermediates and tritium-labeled intermediates formed during the synthesis of 9-cis monotritium-labeled retinoids are also provided.

Abstract: A new synthesis of .omega.-hydroxy acids, which employs commercially available starting materials and lowers the cost of production. The process involves coupling a fatty acyl group by enamine chemistry, followed by a ring expansion and selective reduction of ketoacid.

Abstract: The present invention a process for the preparation of a compound of the formula (X) useful as precursor for the A-ring in taxanes ##STR1## wherein R' is an ##STR2## in which R" is a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The invention further relates to the novel compound (X) and to novel intermediates in said process.

Abstract: Co dimerization is conducted of at least one monoolefin, for example a monoolefinic hydrocarbon such as ethylene, propylene or 1-butene, a halogenated monoolefin such as vinyl chloride, or an olefinic functional compound such as methyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, allyl acetate or vinyl acetate, with at least one polyolefin containing at least two conjugated or unconjugated ethylene bonds, for example a diene hydrocarbon such as 1,3-butadiene, piperylene, or isoprene or a polyolefin containing a carboxylic function, such as a fatty acid or a fatty acid ester having 14 to 24 carbon atoms in the fatty chain derived, for example, from a natural oil. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalytic system having general formula [RhX.sub.4 ][YR.sub.4 ] where X represents a halogen ion or a SO.sub.4.sup.--, SO.sub.3.sup.-, OH.sup.-, OR.sup.- or R.sup.

Abstract: A process for producing a lactone or an ester represented by the following general formula (2), wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, identical or different, each represents (C.sub.1 --C.sub.20) alkyl group; alkyl group substituted with a terminal alkenyl, halogen, alkoxy, phenoxy or acyloxy; phenyl group; or phenyl group substituted with alkyl, halogen, alkoxy, phenoxy or acyloxy; phenylalkyl group; or phenylalkyl group substituted with alkyl, halogen, alkoxy, phenoxy or acyloxy; provided that when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, identical or different, each represents unsubstituted alkyl group or alkyl group substituted with a terminal alkenyl, halogen, alkoxy, phenoxy, acyloxy or phenyl, the respective alkyl parts of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be conjunct to each other; which comprises reacting a ketone represented by the following general formula (1), wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.

Abstract: The metathesis of functionalized and unfunctionalized acyclic olefins using catalyst compositions containing iridium and silver in a molar ration of 3 to 1.

Abstract: A method to functionalize carbohydrate derivatives by base-induced .beta.-elimination and subsequent olefination to form biologically active products containing .alpha.-hydroxy-diene or .alpha.,.beta.-dihydroxy-diene subunits. Also disclosed are methods to prepare biologically active derivatives of fatty acids containing .alpha.-hydroxy-diene groups and .alpha.,.beta.-dihydroxy-diene groups from derivatives of 2-deoxyfuranoses and derivatives of 2-deoxypyranoses, respectively.