Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the purification of a prostaglandin by supercritical fluid chromatography, said method comprising the use of a stationary phase and a mobile phase comprising carbon dioxide, provided that when the stationary phase is unmodified silica gel, the prostaglandin is not luprostiol. The invention also provides prostaglandins obtainable by the method.

Abstract: A process for producing a chlorohydrin, an ester of a chlorohydrin, or a mixture thereof including the steps of contacting, in a hydrochlorination reactor, a multihydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon, an ester of a multihydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof with a source of a hydrogen chloride, in the presence of a hydrophobic or extractable carboxylic acid catalyst is provided.

Abstract: A process for producing a chlorohydrin, an ester of a chlorohydrin, or a mixture thereof including the steps of contacting, in a hydrochlorination reactor, a multihydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon, an ester of a multihydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof with a source of a hydrogen chloride, in the presence of a hydrophobic or extractable carboxylic acid catalyst is provided.

Abstract: This process for producing fluorine-containing compounds includes liquid-phase fluorination by introducing a raw material compound and fluorine gas into a solvent to replace hydrogen atoms in the raw material compound with fluorine atoms. More specifically, the process for producing fluorine-containing compounds includes (1) promoting fluorination by dissolving the raw material compound in anhydrous hydrofluoric acid and introducing into a liquid-phase fluorination solvent, or (2) promoting fluorination by dissolving the raw material compound in a perfluoro compound having a plurality of polar groups in a molecule thereof and introducing into a liquid-phase fluorination solvent. According to these processes, a fluorination reaction can be carried out at high yield and without containing hardly any isomers while using a hydrocarbon compound as is for the raw material.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for the production of biodiesel. In particular, provided is an esterification process in which an alcohol reacts with free fatty acids in a lipid material comprising free fatty acids and glycerides in the presence of an immobilized zirconium(IV) metal salt to form fatty acid alkyl esters. Also provided is combination process in which an esterification reaction converts the free fatty acids in a lipid material to fatty acid alkyl esters and a transesterification reaction converts the glycerides in the material to fatty acid alkyl esters.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel process for the preparation of prostaglandins and analogues thereof, and new crystalline intermediates in the process.

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: The present invention relates to a nervonic acid derivatives of formula (I) CH3—(CH2)7—CH═CH—(CH2)13—C(O)—O—(CH2)3—OR  (I) wherein R is hydrogen (H) or a residue of a carboxylic acid; or a salt of the compound where R is H; or a bioprecursor, prodrug thereof. Those compounds wherein R is other than H have pharmacological activity, in particular anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Those compounds wherein R is H can be used to prepare the pharmacologically active derivatives.

Abstract: Iodinated fatty acid esters, iodinated fatty acids and fluid pharmaceutical-grade stable derivatives thereof are produced by iodohydrination in an organic medium using alkylsilylated derivatives, such as trimethylsilyl chloride or trimethylchlorosilane, that react with an alkaline iodide such as sodium iodide, whereafter hydroiodic acid is formed in situ by exposure to water and the hydroiodic acid is reacted with fatty acid esters and particularly rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl esters that may be used as a biofuel for gasoline engines to provide a low-cost product, and are used therapeutically, in particular for treating goitre linked to iodine deficiency.

Abstract: A method for preparing fatty acid chlorides. The method comprises reacting a silylation product of a fatty acid comprising at 1east 2 aliphatically unsaturated bonds per molecule and a chlorinating agent.

Abstract: Process for the production of oligomeric fatty acids and lower alkyl esters thereof in which fatty acids containing 16 to 24 carbon atoms and 2, 3, 4 or 5 double bonds and/or lower alkyl esters thereof are oligomerized with C.sub.1-4 alcohols at an elevated temperature in the presence of a tin halide catalyst, optionally in combination with a halide of titanium, iron, cobalt, nickel, lead, and/or germanium.

Abstract: Processes for preparing 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid as well as esters and amides thereof involves initially preparing the acid by reacting 1-decyne with 1,4-dihalo-2-butyne in the presence of a strong base to form 1-halo-2,5-tetradecadiyne which is then reacted with 5-hexynoic acid so as to form 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid. This acid can then be converted to the acid chloride form and reacted with an alcohol to form an ester or converted to a potassium salt and reacted with a halide also to form an ester, or after conversion to an acid chloride reacted with an amine in the presence of a tertiary amine to form an amide, or the acid can be reacted with carbonyldiimidazole in the presence of a solvent and excess amine to form an amide.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a process for preparing a C.sub.6 to C.sub.24 fatty acid halide by reacting a fatty acid with a halogenating agent, such as phosphorus trichloride, optionally followed by hydrolysis of unreacted halogenating agent separating and removing an inorganic lower layer to leave a turbid layer containing the fatty acid chloride product. The clearing time of the turbid layer is reduced by the addition of from 3 to 20% by weight of clear fatty acid halide thereto.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an alkanoic acid which comprises reacting the corresponding alkanol with a solubilized stable free radical nitroxide having the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is an alkyl, aryl or heteroatom substituted alkyl group having 1 to about 15 carbon atoms and each of R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 is alkyl, hydrogen, aryl or a substituted heteroatom, nitric acid, and a bromide ion-containing compound in the presence of an oxidant at a temperature in the range of from about 25.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C., and thereafter separating out the alkanoic acid.

Abstract: A method for preparing .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acids of the formulaR.sub.1 (R.sub.2)C.dbd.C(R.sub.3)CO.sub.2 Hwhere R.sub.1 to R.sub.3 can be hydrogen, fluorine, alkyl, or alkyl containing fluorine, but at least one of R.sub.1 to R.sub.3 is fluorine or alkyl containing fluorine. The method involves reacting an alkenyl halide containing fluorine having the general formulaR.sub.1 (R.sub.2)C.dbd.C(R.sub.3)Xwhere R.sub.1 to R.sub.3 are the same as above, and X is chlorine, bromine, or iodine with carbon dioxide in an aprotic polar organic solvent and in the presence of activated zinc. The activated zinc is activated by pretreatment with a mineral acid or acetic acid. At least one cation is present during the reaction which is an alkali metal ion, alkaline earth metal ion or ammonium ion. The cation is present in an amount of 0.01 to 50 gram atoms per one mol of alkenyl halide containig fluorine. The resulting product is hydrolyzed.