Abstract: A process of hydrolyzing a monodentate, bidentate or tridentate phosphorus-based phosphite ester ligand or ligand blend for a transition metal catalyst comprising contacting the ligand or ligand blend with a hydrolysis catalyst of the formula (R11X11)nP(OH)3-n where n is 0, 1 or 2 wherein the ligand or ligand blend comprises one or more of (i) a bidentate biphosphite ligand of formula (III), (R12—X12)(R13—X13)P—X14—Y—X24—P(X22—R22)(X23—R23), (ii) a tridentate triphosphite ligand of formula (IIIA) (R12—X12)(R13—X13)P—X14—Y—X32—P(X34—R34)—(X33—Y2—K24—P(X23—R23)—(X22—R22) or (iii) a monodentate phosphite ligand of formula (IV) P(X1—R1)(X2—R2)(X3—R3) where each X is oxygen or a bond and each Y is an optionally substituted C6-C20 arylene, followed by separation of the ligand hydrolysis products.

Abstract: The invention provides methods useful in the industrial scale process for hydrocyanation of butadiene to adiponitrile for recycle of unwanted byproduct 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile (2M3BN) by conversion to process intermediate pentenenitrile. The invention provides a process for generating catalysts useful for carrying out the hydrocyanation of butadiene to adiponitrile, the process comprising contacting the 2M3BN and a solution of a nickel-ligand catalyst in cis-2-pentenenitrile (cis-2PN), trans-2-pentenenitrile (trans-2PN), or a mixture thereof. The improved methods of the invention can provide improved catalyst solubility for bidentate ligands without a requirement for a Lewis acid catalyst promoter such as zinc chloride to be present.

Abstract: Described is a method for the preparation of renin inhibitors such as aliskiren, and intermediates useful therein. The method introduces a nitrogen-containing intermediate such as a lactone of formula (8). with R4 being a branched C3—6 alkyl. In the preparation of the lactone, or related intermediates, a desired stereochemical configuration can be controlled by starting from a chiral aldehyde satisfying formula (10).

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a process for producing dicyanonorbornane characterized by causing hydrogen cyanide to undergo addition reaction with cyanonorbornene (bicyclo[2.2.1]-5-heptene-2-carbonitrile) in the presence of a zerovalent nickel complex catalyst which is produced by using a phosphite represented by P(x)(y)(z) (wherein P is a phosphorus atom, and x, y and z are each OR, where R represents an aryl group having not more than 18 carbon atoms) as a ligand to reduce a nickel halide with at least one metal selected among zinc, cadmium, beryllium, aluminum, iron and cobalt, wherein the phosphite is one which has a phosphate content of 1.0 weight % or lower based on the whole phosphite.

Abstract: Described is a method for the preparation of renin inhibitors such as aliskiren, and intermediates useful therein. The method introduces a nitrogen-containing intermediate such as a lactone of formula (8). with R4 being a branched C3—6 alkyl. In the preparation of the lactone, or related intermediates, a desired stereochemical configuration can be controlled by starting from a chiral aldehyde satisfying formula (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to titanium catalysts for asymmetric synthesis reactions produced by bringing a reaction mixture obtained by contacting water and a titanium alkoxide into contact with an optically active ligand represented by the general formula (a), wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or the like, and A* represents a group with two or more carbon atoms having an asymmetric carbon atom or axial asymmetry. The invention further relates to a process for asymmetric cyanation of imines, wherein the process comprises reacting an imine with a cyanating agent in the presence of the titanium catalyst.

Abstract: A process of hydrocyanation of diolefins such as butadiene is carried out in the presence of a catalytic system comprising a transition metal and mono- and pluri-dentate organophosphorus ligands. The reaction medium containing branched nitrites subsequently is isomerized in the absence of hydrogen cyanide.

Abstract: Certain chiral monophosphites and their monothio derivatives are suitable as ligands in the asymmetrical transition-metal-catalyzed hydrogenation, hydroborination and hydrocyanation of prochiral olefins, ketones and imines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the manufacture of nitrile compounds from unsaturated organic compounds by reaction with hydrogen cyanide. It relates more particularly to the manufacture of nitrile compounds of use in the synthesis of adiponitrile, an important chemical intermediate in the manufacture of major chemical compounds, such as hexamethylenediamine and &egr;-caprolactam. The invention provides a process for the manufacture of organic compounds comprising at least one nitrile functional group by carrying out a hydrocyanation reaction between hydrogen cyanide and an organic compound comprising at least one ethylenic unsaturation. This reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalytic system comprising a metal element chosen from the group consisting of nickel, platinum and palladium and an organophosphorus ligand, the reaction medium additionally comprising an ionic liquid in the liquid state at least at the temperature at which the hydrocyanation reaction is carried out.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of a compound of the formula 1

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of hydrocyanation of ethylenically unsaturated organic compounds to compounds having at least one nitrile function, particularly the hydrocyanation of diolefins such as butadiene, or of substituted olefins such as alkene nitrites such as pentenenitriles; the subject hydrocyanation is carried out in the presence of a catalytic system comprising a metallic element and mono- and pluri-dentate organophosphorus ligands.

Abstract: Certain chiral monophosphites and their monothio derivatives are suitable as ligands in the asymmetrical transition-metal-catalyzed hydrogenation, hydroborination and hydrocyanation of prochiral olefins, ketones and imines.

Abstract: A method for producing an &agr;-aminonitrile, is disclosed, which method includes the step of oxidizing a tertiary amine with oxygen by using a transition metal catalyst in the presence of a cyanide. The &agr;-aminonitrile thus obtained can be easily converted to amino acids as well as various nitrogen-containing physiologically active materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process, carried out in two steps, for the cyanoalkylation of compounds having one or more NH functions by reaction thereof with carbonyl compounds and hydrocyanic acid, in which the first step is carried out without pressure at a temperature which is below the boiling point of the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A process for preparing an (S,S) or (R,R) diastereoisomer of the formula: ##STR1## or salts, esters or amides thereof, wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently represent hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or aryl substituted with halogen, alkyl, nitro or alkoxy, and n and m independently represent integers from one to six, comprising combining a cyanide compound of the formula:M.sup.1 C.tbd.N (III)wherein M.sup.1 is hydrogen, trimethylsilyl or a metal, with an optional proton source, a solvent and a Lewis acid of the formula:M.sup.2 X.sub.4, AlCl.sub.3 or BF.sub.3 (IV)wherein M.sup.2 is Sn or Ti and X represents chloro, bromo, fluoro or iodo, with an .alpha.-amino acid compound or salts or esters thereof, followed by addition of an acyl or acetal compound to give the diastereoisomer of formula (X).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a 2,3-diaminoacrylonitrile derivative or salts thereof, having the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents an alkyl group (which may be substituted by unsubstituted or substituted phenyl groups, halogen atoms, C.sub.1-6 alkoxycarbonyl groups, carboxy groups, C.sub.1-6 alkoxycarbonyl C.sub.1-6 alkylthio groups, hydroxy groups, mercapto groups, cycloalkyl groups or heterocyclic groups containing oxygen atoms); an alkenyl group; a cycloalkyl group; an aryl group (which may be substituted by halogen atoms, C.sub.1-6 alkyl groups, nitro-groups, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl or phenoxy groups or heterocyclic groups containing oxygen atoms or sulfur atoms).The 2,3-diaminoacrylonitrile derivative can be used as starting materials for the production of pharmaceutical and/or agricultural intermediates such as cyanoimidazoles, cyanopyrazines or other cyano-substituted heterocycles.

Abstract: A method of preparing m-trifluoromethylphenyl acetonitrile of the formula ##STR1## in which m-trifluoromethyl toluene is reacted with cyanogen chloride in the gas phase at 600.degree. to 750.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reaction mixtures and processes which employ an .omega.-phase catalyst for carrying out displacement reactions at a substantially enhanced rate.