Abstract: A process for asymmetrically hydrogenating through the use of microorganisms a double bond connected to tertiary carbon atom in an olefinic aliphatic compound to produce a tertiary, optically active aliphatic compound useful as an intermediate for optically active Vitamins E and K.

Abstract: Zwitterionic surfactant compounds are made readily biodegradable in the environment by the inclusion of a biochemically and/or hydrolytically labile chemical linkage located between the cationic and anionic charge centers of the compounds and anywhere from the second to the tenth atom distant from the cationic charge center. The biodegradable linkage is preferably an ester or amide. The alkoxylated zwitterionic surfactants herein exhibit outstanding particulate soil removal performance and are also effective in removing oily soils from fabrics, in addition to being readily biodegradable. Also described are detergent compositions containing the zwitterionic surfactants, and, optionally containing cosurfactants and detergent builders.

Abstract: Oxygenated organic compounds, e.g. esters, aldehydes, and amides, are prepared by reacting an olefinically unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide and a compound containing a replaceable hydrogen atom in the presence of a catalyst comprising cobalt carbonyl and a polyamine promoter ligand. These reactions are carried out under relatively mild conditions of temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A condensation product from aliphatic or cycloaliphatic polyols, aliphatic saturated or once unsaturated hydroxycarboxylic acids and aliphatic or cycloaliphatic saturated or unsaturated monocarboxylic acids is an effective lubricant for the working of metals, optionally in admixture with other lubricating oils and conventional additives.

Abstract: A modified nickel catalyst used for stereo-differentiating reduction of carbonyl compounds is provided. The modified nickel catalyst is prepared by soaking a nickel catalyst in an aqueous modifying medium having dissolved therein at least one inorganic salt, such as sodium bromide or sodium chloride, and at least one optically active substance, such as optically active hydroxy acid. The modified nickel catalyst exhibits enhanced activity for stereo-differentiating reduction and causes little or no side reactions, and thus, brings about an extremely high yield of the reaction product.

Abstract: Laundry detergent compositions containing no phosphate or low levels of phosphate materials and specific mixtures of selected nonionic surfactants and selected cationic surfactants are disclosed. The nonionic/cationic surfactant mixtures are formulated to have "cloud point" characteristics and, preferably, reduced cationic monomer concentrations as defined herein. These compositions are unusually effective in removing greasy and oily soils and body soils from fabrics; they are also effective in the removal of particulate soils. A process is disclosed for laundering fabrics using compositions containing nonionic surfactants and cationic surfactants.

Abstract: Carboxylic acids and/or esters are prepared by converting the ##STR1## moiety in a 1-substituted 2,2-trihaloethanol, or derivative wherein X represents halogen and R is hydrogen or an acyl group to an organic acid and/or ester grouping of the formula ##STR2## wherein R' is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, in the process which comprises reacting the 1-substituted 2,2,2-trihaloethanol or acylated derivative with molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a complex of a transition metal having an atomic number from 21-30, 39-48 or 57-80 and at least one molecule of a ligand containing trivalent nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic or antimony. This reaction is carried out in a reaction medium comprising an alcohol or aqueous alcohol having 1 to 6 carbon atoms optionally containing an alkali metal, said alcoholic solvent also serving as a reactant source when carboxylic acid esters are formed.

Abstract: A novel process is described for the homogeneous hydrogenation of carboxylic acid esters to primary alcohols utilizing anionic Group VIII metal hydride compositions as catalysts which contain phosphorus, arsenic or antimony organoligands. Use of these anionic catalysts allows the process to be conducted in solution under mild conditions of temperature and pressure with high selectivity and eliminates the disadvantages of utilizing heterogeneous catalysts. A process is also described for decarbonylating formate esters utilizing said compositions as catalysts.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline compositions, especially for displays with a twisted nematic phase, comprising at least one compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein X=H, --CHO or --CH.sub.3, R.sup.1 =C.sub.1 --C.sub.10 alkyl, R.sup.2 is a monovalent organic group, for example, --CN; and Y is a single bond or one of the groups --COO-- or ##STR2## The compositions show a high positive dielectric anisotropy (.DELTA..epsilon.), a high .DELTA.n, and a low viscosity, and the mixture system may comprise relatively few components.

Abstract: Novel, biodegradable cationic surface-active agents are disclosed. These compounds, when used in laundry detergent compositions together with selected nonionic surfactants, provide excellent removal of particulate and greasy/oily soils, as well as providing fabric softening, static control, and dye transfer inhibition benefits to the laundered fabrics.

Abstract: Derivatives, analogs, and congeners of prostane having a 1-(hydroxymethyl)-1-oxo-prostane structure in the F.sub.1 series.

Abstract: Derivatives, analogs, and congeners of prostane having a 1-(hydroxymethyl)-1-oxo-prostane structure in the A.sub.1 series.

Abstract: The concentration of hydrogen fluoride in crude glycolic acid made by the hydrogen fluoride-catalyzed reaction of formaldehyde and carbon monoxide can be reduced to less than about 1% by weight by removing the HF from the crude gylcolic acid by distillation or stripping with inert gas at a temperature above about 130.degree. C., thereby producing a polyglycolide subsequently convertible to glycolic acid by hydrolysis.

Abstract: Derivatives, analogs, and congeners of prostane having a 1-(hydroxymethyl)-1-oxo-prostane structure in the F.sub.2 series.

Abstract: A catalytic system for oxidation of organic compounds including olefins, cyclic ketones and secondary alcohols. Soluble peroxo or solid supported oxo or peroxo complexes of molybdenum or tungsten are used in the presence of hydrogen peroxide to effect the oxidation. The resulting products include lactones, hydroxy acids, ketoacids, hydroxy esters and ketoesters from cyclic ketones; ketones from secondary alcohols and polyols or derivatives thereof from allylic alcohols.

Abstract: .alpha.-Acyloxy-N,N'-diacylmalonamides of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are the same or different and are hydrogen, straight chain or branched alkyl radicals having from one to eleven carbon atoms, or hydrocarbon radicals with six to twelve carbon atoms and comprising at least one aromatic ring, are novel compounds prepared by the action of a mixture of carboxylic acids R.sub.3 COOH and R.sub.4 COOH upon an .alpha.-acyloxymalononitrile, R.sub.1 COO--C(CN).sub.2 --R.sub.2, in the presence of an acid catalyst and are useful as intermediates in organic synthesis and low temperature activators in bleaching or scouring compositions.

Abstract: Cyclic acetals are rearranged to form isomeric carboxylic acid esters according to the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl, alkenyl, or aromatic moiety containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms;AndR' is an alkyl or alkenyl moiety containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms;In the presence of a catalyst consisting of a metal selected from the group Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir or Pt supported on carbon.

Abstract: A-40104 antibiotic complex, comprising active factors A, B, C, and D, produced by submerged aerobic fermentation of Clitopilus pseudo-pinsitus. Individual factors, A, B, and C have been isolated. A-40104 factor C is the known antibiotic pleuromutilin. A-40104 factors A and B are novel antibiotics related to pleuromutilin. A-40104 factor A, the major new factor, is the D-xylose acetal derivative of pleuromutilin. A-40104 factors A and B, their 19,20-dihydro derivatives and the per(C.sub.2 -C.sub.6)alkanoyl derivatives of factors A and B and of their 19,20-dihydro derivatives are active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, and Mycoplasma.

Abstract: A process for the production of alcohols and esters comprises hydroxylating a saturated hydrocarbon at between about 20.degree. and about 130.degree. C. with an oxygenated amine. The amine may be a hydroxylated secondary amine or an oxide of a tertiary amine. The reaction medium includes a Lewis acid and a salt of divalent or trivalent iron.

Abstract: Ampholytic quaternary ammonium compounds according to the formula: ##STR1## where R, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each is an alkyl group containing a carbon chain of from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, R.sub.3 is H, CH.sub.3 or CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2, R.sub.4 is H or CH.sub.3, and X is COOH, CN, CHO, or COOCH.sub.3 and methods for preparing such compounds wherein a tertiary amine is reacted with an .alpha.,.beta. unsaturated compound to produce an intermediate reaction product and this intermediate reaction product is reacted with an alkylene oxide to produce the ampholytic quaternary ammonium compound.

Abstract: A new series of substituted esters of 3-hydroxyindone compounds have been found to have exceptional miticidal and herbicidal activity.

Abstract: Organic acids contained in aqueous solution are separated and/or recovered by a process comprising adding an alcohol to the aqueous solution to esterify the acids present, while preferably simultaneously contacting the alcoholic mixture with a water-immiscible solvent and separating layers into an aqueous phase and an organic phase, whereby extraction with the water-immiscible solvent shifts the equilibrium toward the formation of more esters. The esters of the acids may than be recovered as by distillation.

Abstract: There are disclosed herein novel ester compounds which can be used as detergent solvents and plasticizers for resins, the compounds having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of --H and --CH.sub.3 ; R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, which may be the same or different substituents, are selected from the group consisting of straight and branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, benzyl and cyclohexyl; R.sub.5 is selected from the group --H, --CH.sub.3 and --C.sub.2 H.sub.5 ; and b=0 or 1.

Abstract: Novel fluorocarbon surfactants containing a non-ionic hydrophilic chain (preferably an oxyethylene chain) and at least two terminal perfluorocarbon groups of at least three carbon atoms, preferably branched perfluorocarbon groups derived from an oligomer of tetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: An improved process for polymerization of lactones or mixtures of lactones in the presence of an initiator and a catalyst is disclosed wherein the initiator is an organic compound having at least one non-cyclic ester group and having no reactive hydrogen substituents. A polyester having blocked end groups is produced.

Abstract: Thermoplastic hydrogels are prepared by making condensation polymers of spirolactones of the formula: ##STR1## with a difunctional compound capable of opening the lactone rings. The thermoplastic hydrogels can be cross-linked. In the formula the total of n and m and also of n' and m' is 2 to 5 and the R groups are H or hydrocarbyl with not over 3 R groups being hydrocarbyl. Most preferably all R groups are H and n, m, n' and m' are all 1.

Abstract: Novel polyfunctional compounds which may be hydrolyzed to the corresponding salts, which in turn are metal sequestering agents, are disclosed, as well as a novel method for their preparation. The compounds are the reaction product obtained from the reaction of selected salts of monoalkyl esters of maleic acid with selected active hydrogen containing compounds. These products are prepared by a reaction of the starting materials in preferably a substantially anhydrous medium at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: In a method for making a carboxylic acid ester by the reaction of the corresponding carboxylic acid amide with a primary alcohol in the presence of a catalyst at elevated temperature, the improvement wherein said catalyst is an at least partially dissolved metal carboxylate or a compound forming a metal carboxylate by reaction in situ with a carboxylic acid, the anion of which metal carboxylate is the anion of said carboxylic acid.

Abstract: After acidification and separation of a concentrated aqueous solution of sodium sulfate, the water-containing organic phase that remains is first distilled to remove mainly water, then chilled to crystallize out the bulk of the dicarboxy acids, then esterified and distilled again to obtain monocarboxy acid esters in distillate fractions, after which the residue is further esterified to facilitate obtaining the remaining dicarboxy acids in usable form.