Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) by hydrogenation of diethylenetriaminediacetonitrile (DETDN) over a catalyst. If appropriate, DETDN can also be present as a constituent of an amino nitrile mixture which additionally comprises diethylenetriaminemonoacetonitrile (DETMN).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing 3-cyano-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexanone (isophoronenitrile) by reacting isophorone with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a base as a catalyst to obtain a crude isophoronenitrile product, and subsequently distilling the crude isophoronenitrile product, with the addition before distillation of at least one specific sulfonic acid or specific carboxylic acid. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of a specific sulfonic acid or of a specific carboxylic acid as a neutralizing agent before distillation of a crude isophoronenitrile product which has been obtained by reacting isophorone with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a base as a catalyst, in order to avoid precipitates in the neutralization of the base used as a catalyst with an acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing optically active cyanohydrins and the corresponding &agr;-hydroxy-carboxylic acids, starting from an aldehyde, hydrogen cyanide and an optically active vanadyl-salen catalyst, whereby the reaction mixture is reacted at a temperature of between 0 and 60° C. Between 0.8 and 10 equivalents of hydrogen cyanide and between 0.0001 and 0.05 equivalents of vanadyl-salen catalyst in relation to the aldehyde, (concentration of between 0.5 and 4 mol/litre solvent), are preferably used. After said reaction the optically active cyanohydrin or after an acid hydrolysis the corresponding optically active &agr;-hydroxycarboxylic acid can be isolated with a surplus of enantiomers. The vanadium catalyst used in the invention contains a salen ligand, whereby the ratio salen ligand: vanadium (IV) in the catalyst ranges between 1.4:1 and 10:1.

Abstract: In the presence of a metal catalyst such as a samarium compound, an enol ester compound shown by the formula (1) is reacted with a carbonyl compound shown by the formula (3) and a cyanogenation agent to produce an .alpha.-cyanohydrin ester shown by the formula (4): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.7, and R.sup.8 are the same or different from each other, each representing a non-reactive atom or a non-reactive organic group; R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are the same or different from each other, each representing a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms.By hydrolyzing the obtained compound, the corresponding .alpha.-hydroxy acid or a salt thereof can be obtained. According to the above processes, an .alpha.-cyanohydrin ester and an .alpha.-hydroxy acid can be obtained in high yields.

Abstract: In a process for preparing 3-cyano-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexanone by reacting isophorone with hydrogen cyanide at from 80 to 220.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst, the reaction is carried out in the presence of the betaine 1,3-dimethylimidazolium-4-carboxylate.

Abstract: A process for the condensation of an aldehyde with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a buffer is disclosed. The buffer advantageously allows the condensation reaction to occur at a pH equal to or above 4.0 and in the absence of amines.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 3-cyano-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexanone by the reaction of isophorone with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of quaternary ammonium catalysts at temperatures ranging from 80.degree. to 180.degree. C. and pressures ranging from 0.5 to 20 bar, in which the ammonium catalysts used are salts of the general formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 denote C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, aryl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.18 aralkyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 hydroxyalkyl andX denotes HCO.sub.3 or ##STR2## with the proviso that R.sup.4 stands for C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing 1,4-dicyano-2-butene in a high yield and in an industrially advantageous way.The present invention relates to a process for producing 1,4-dicyano-2-butene which comprises reacting a butene derivative represented by the formula [1]R.sub.1 --CH.sub.2 --CH.dbd.CH--CH.sub.2 --R.sub.2 [1]or the formula [2]R.sub.3 --CH.sub.2 --CHR.sub.4 --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 [2]wherein each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 represents a hydroxy group, lower acyloxy group, lower alkoxy group or cyano group; and each of R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 represents a hydroxy group, lower acyloxy group or lower alkoxy group, with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalyst comprising a product prepared from a cuprous halide, a non-aromatic amine hydrohalide and at least one member selected from the group consisting of Lewis acids and basic compounds.

Abstract: Abstract of the disclosure: A process for the continuous preparation of 3-cyano-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexanone by base-catalyzed reaction of isophorone and hydrogen cyanide, comprises carrying out the reaction in two separate reaction zonesa) with essentially complete back-mixing and subsequentlyb) essentially without back-mixing.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of isophorone nitrile utilizing solutions of lithium hydroxide or lithium cyanide, solid LiOH or solid LiOH.cndot.H.sub.2 O as a catalyst. The reaction is carried out under precisely controlled temperature conditions and cyanide feed rate profiles to maintain a reasonably constant concentration of non-reacted cyanide, thereby minimizing the formation of undesirable diisophorone, its nitrile derivative(s) and HCN polymers. A polyacidic acid can be used to acidify the batch, followed by filtration to remove the precipitated lithium salt of the acid, and vacuum distillation to remove liberated HCN and excess isophorone. The resulting isophorone nitrile is obtained in high yield and with low impurity content.

Abstract: The production of 3-cyano-3,5,5-trialkylcyclohexanone from the reaction of 3,5,5-trialkylcyclohexenone and hydrocyanide at elevated temperature and in the presence of a catalytic amount of an onium cyanide, is disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for the production of 3-cyano-3,5,5-trimethyl cyclohexanone by the reaction of isophorone with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a quaternary ammonium salt or quaternary phosphonium salt and a basic compound as a catalyst in the form dissolved or dispersed in water or in the absence of water, which method comprises effecting said reaction by using said quaternary ammonium salt or quaternary phosphonium salt in an amount in the range of from 0.001 to 0.1 mol per mol of isophorone and said basic compound and in an amount in the range of from 0.5 to 3.0 mols per mol of said quaternary ammonium salt or quaternary phosphonium salt and, when water is used, using water in an amount in the range of 0.1 to 25% by weight based on the amount of isophorone and introducing hydrogen cyanidehydrocyanic acid at a ratio in the range of from 0.6 to 1.0 mol per mol of isophorone at a temperature in the range of from 90.degree. to 140.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 3-cyano-3,5,5'-trimethyl-1-cyclohexanone by means of the reaction of isophorone with an alkaline cyanide. The reaction is performed starting from isophorone and an equivalent amount of cyanide in a homogeneous water/organic solvent solution at a temperature comprised between 20.degree. C. and the reflux temperature, maintaining a pH between 14 and 8 by means of a gradual addition of an inorganic acid during the reaction.

Abstract: Hydrogen cyanide is added to isophorone for the preparation of 1,3,3-trimethyl-5-oxo-carbonitrile in the presence of lithium hydroxide in an amount in a range of 0.005 to 5 mole % at 100.degree. to 160.degree. C. The yield is higher and the space-time yield is better than was possible when using other alkaline acting alkali compounds.

Abstract: An improved process for the nickel-catalyzed hydrocyanation of alkyl 2-alkenoates is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing isophorone nitrile is disclosed, whereby isophorone is reacted with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a quaternary ammonium catalyst. Remaining catalyst is removed by thermal destruction and nitrogen sparging. Residual cyanide is removed by acidification and nitrogen sparging.

Abstract: Process of polyene hydrocyanation, in particular diene hydrocyanation, wherein a promotionally effective amount of any acid with a pK.sub.a above about 2 and below and 14, preferably aryl alcohols such as phenol and cresols, is used.

Abstract: A process for the production of the bicyclic compound 4,4,8,8,10-pentamethyl-10-cyano-bicyclo[4.4.0]-dec-1,6-en-2-one which comprises the steps of (a) reacting a ketone fraction comprising ##STR1## or mixtures thereof, (b) by adding HCN to the ketone fraction the presence of a base, at a temperature of 50.degree.-200.degree. C. to obtain an addition product comprising the bicyclic compound, and(c) isolating the addition product.

Abstract: Spiro-succinimides are disclosed which are useful as aldose reductase inhibitors and as therapeutic agents for the treatment of complications arising from diabetes. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the spiro- compounds and a method of treating diabetic complications are also disclosed.

Abstract: 6-Phenyl-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,10b-octahydrobenz(h)isoquinolines having anti-depressant activity and methods for their preparation.

Abstract: An alpha-arylacrylonitrile is prepared by reacting an aryl ketone having a removable hydrogen alpha to the carbonyl group with an alkali metal cyanide and a Lewis acid other than aluminum chloride, preferably in the presence of a solvent. In a preferred embodiment, the aryl ketone is a tetralone, the cyanide is sodium cyanide, the Lewis acid is boron trifluoride, and the product is a 1-cyano-3,4-dihydronaphthalene.

Abstract: 6-Alkoxy-5-trifluoromethyl-1-naphthoic acids are prepared by (1) cyanating a 6-alkoxytetralone so as to form a 6-alkoxy-1-cyano-3,4-dihydronaphthalene, (2) converting the 6-alkoxy-1-cyano-3,4-dihydronaphthalene to a naphthoic acid precursor selected from a 6-alkoxy-1-cyanonaphthalene and a hydrocarbyl 6-alkoxy-1-naphthoate, (3) halogenating the naphthoic acid precursor to the corresponding 5-halo derivative, (4) trifluoromethylating the 5-halo derivative to replace the 5-halo substituent with a 5-trifluoromethyl group, and (5) hydrolyzing the resultant product to a 6-alkoxy-5-trifluoromethyl-1-naphthoic acid. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the process is conducted so as to prepare 6-methoxy-5-trifluoromethyl-1-naphthoic acid, which, like the other products, is known to be useful as a pharmaceutical intermediate.

Abstract: An alpha-arylacrylonitrile is prepared by reacting an aryl ketone having a removable hydrogen alpha to the carbonyl group with a cyanide ion source which is free of radicals that would stabilize a cyanohydrin corresponding to the aryl ketone and with a Lewis acid, preferably in the presence of a solvent. In a preferred embodiment, the aryl ketone is a tetralone, the cyanide ion source is hydrogen cyanide, the Lewis acid is aluminum chloride, and the product is a 1-cyano-3,4-dihydronaphthalene.

Abstract: An alpha-arylacrylonitrile is prepared by reacting an aryl ketone having a removable hydrogen alpha to the carbonyl group with a cyanide ion source which is free of radicals that would stabilize a cyanohydrin corresponding to the aryl ketone and with a Lewis acid in the presence of an activating amount of water and/or HCl and preferably in the presence of a solvent. In a preferred embodiment, the aryl ketone is a tetralone, the cyanide ion source is sodium cyanide, the Lewis acid is aluminum chloride, and the product is a 1-cyano-3,4-dihydronaphthalene.