Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of 4-alkanoyloxy-2-methylbutanoic acid, as well as to the use of such compounds in organic syntheses, especially in processes forming intermediates (building blocks) for the synthesis of organic compounds comprising isoprene (isoterpene) units, such as ?-carotene or other carotenoids (e.g. canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin or astaxanthin) or as vitamin E or vitamin A as well as other structurally similar compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of enantioselective addition to enones, including: reacting R3(CH2)pCH?CR5C(?O)Y(CH2)qR4 with R6ZnR7 in the presence of a compound represented by the following formula (I) and a transition metal catalyst, in which Y, p, q, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are defined the same as the specification. Accordingly, the present invention can perform asymmetric conjugate addition in high yields and enantioselectivity.

Abstract: A process for the production of a ketone having a carbon number between about 20 and about 40 comprising contacting fatty acids containing from about 10 to about 21 carbons atoms with a hydrotalcite catalyst under conditions effective to decarboxylate said acids. More particularly said decarboxylation conditions comprise: a temperature in the range between about 300° C. and about 400° C.; a pressure in the range between about 0.01 and about 5 bar; and a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of from about 0.1 to about 10 hr?1.

Abstract: A method for preparing a molecule bearing a trifluoromethyl group on a quaternary carbon atom, includes providing a reactant having a quaternary carbon atom bearing a carboxylic acid group and an electron withdrawing group; and reacting the reactant with SF4 in a solvent to substitute the carboxylic acid group with the trifluoromethyl group and provide a reaction product mixture including the molecule bearing the trifluoromethyl group on the quaternary carbon atom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing macrocyclic ketones of general formula (I) by direct cyclisation of compounds of general formula (II) in the gas phase on a heterogeneous catalyst. In general formula (I), X represents a monounsaturated or polyunsaturated or saturated C10–C17 alkyl radical which can be optionally substituted by a C1–C6 alkyl radical, and in general formula (II), R1, R2 can respectively be the same or different and represent hydrogen or C1–C6 alkyl, and has the above-mentioned designation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing 2-cyclopentenones of the general formula: where R1 to R4 are each hydrogen atoms or are alkyl or alkenyl radicals having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl radicals having from 5 to 7 carbon atoms, aralkylene or aryl radicals, by converting hexenedioic acids and/or their esters of the general formulae where R1 to R4 are each as defined above and R5 and R6 are each hydrogen atoms or are alkyl radicals having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl radicals having 5 or 6 carbon atoms, aralkyl or aryl radicals, at temperatures of from 150 to 450° C., over solid, oxidic catalysts, wherein the catalysts on an oxidic support material comprise from 0.01 to 5% by weight of at least one alkali metal oxide.

Abstract: A safe and effective process for the oxidation of a primary or secondary alcohol to the corresponding aldehyde or ketone via the reaction of said alcohol with an anhydride solution of a 1,1,1-tri(C2-C4 alkanoyloxy-1,1-dihydro-1,2-benziodoxol-3(1H)-one, and a composition useful in this process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing 2-cyclopentenones of the general formula: 1

Abstract: Disclosed are a process of subjecting a diester of a long-chain dicarboxylic acid having 18 to 21 carbon atoms to intramolecular condensation in the presence of titanium tetrachloride or zirconium tetrachloride and a trialkylamine to form an &agr;-alkoxycarbonylated macrocyclic ketone, and a process for producing a macrocyclic ketone by hydrolyzing an &agr;-alkoxycarbonylated macrocyclic ketone obtained by the process and then subjecting the hydrolyzate to decarboxylation. The invention provides a process for producing a macrocyclic ketone efficiently, which permits high concentration synthesis.

Abstract: A process for efficiently producing a 2-alkyl-2-cyclopentenone comprising reacting an amine and a hydrogen halide, which are present in a ratio ranging from 1.1:1 to 5:1, with a 2-alkylidene cyclopentanone to carry out an isomerization reaction. A process for producing a jasmonate derivative comprising reacting a 2-alkyl-2-cyclopentenone with a malonic acid diester.

Abstract: A process for preparing cyclopentanone by reacting adipic esters of the formula R1OOC—(CH2)4—COOR2  I where R1 and R2 are each alkyl having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl having 5 or 6 carbon atoms, aralkyl or aryl and R2 may additionally be hydrogen, in the presence of oxidic catalysts comprises reacting adipic esters of the formula I having less than 5% by weight of by-products other than adipic esters in the gas phase in the presence of water, a carrier gas and a) from 0.01 to 10% by weight of at least one metal oxide selected from the first or second main group of the periodic table or from the group of the rare earth metals on titanium dioxide or zirconium dioxide as catalyst support, or b) from 0.01 to 50% by weight of at least one metal oxide selected from the second main group of the periodic table on zink oxide as catalyst support.

Abstract: A catalyst structure and method of making and using the same in a ketone production process. The catalyst structure includes a substantial theoretical monolayer of catalyst on a catalyst support to optimize ketone yield and weight hourly space velocities.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of 2-hydroxy-3-methylcyclopent-2-ene-1-one, in which an ester of alpha-methyl glutaric acid and an ester of oxalic acid react in a polar aprotic solvent in the presence of an alkali metal alkoxide to form an intermediate compound which, after removal of said polar aprotic solvent and alcohols formed in the reaction, is hydrolyzed and decarboxylated to form said 2-hydroxy-3-methycyclopent-2-ene-1-one.

Abstract: Cyclic ketones, notably cyclopentanone and 2,2-dimethylcyclopentanone, are simply, economically and efficiently prepared, even on an industrial scale, by decarboxylating/cyclizing a dicarboxylic acid, in liquid phase, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a metal or compound thereof selected from among boron, aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, tin, antimony, bismuth, molybdenum, rubidium, cesium and vanadium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of citraconic anhydride. More precisely, the invention relates to a process for the preparation of citraconic anhydride from a starting material comprising itaconic acid.The process for the preparation of citraconic anhydride may be performed continuously starting from itaconic acid, or continuously or in a batchwise manner starting directly from a fermentation broth of itaconic acid or of by-products from the manufacture of itaconic acid.

Abstract: 2-Substituted cyclopentanones are prepared by reacting adipic ester with an alkoxide in the presence of an inert solvent, thus obtaining a salt of the cyclopentanone-2-carboxylic ester, alkylating this without isolation, thus obtaining a 2-alkyl-cyclopentanone-2-carboxylic ester and, without isolation, hydrolysing and decarboxylating this by treatment with an acid and heating.

Abstract: Cyclic ketones, notably cyclopentanone and 2,2-dimethylcyclopentanone, are simply, economically and efficiently prepared, even on an industrial scale, by decarboxylating/cyclizing a dicarboxylic acid, in liquid phase, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a condensed or uncondensed neutral phosphate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optically active cyclohexene diol derivatives and optically active cyclohexenone derivatives, and a process for production of these compounds in which a special cyclohexene diol of a starting material is reacted by selectively positioning transesterification in the presence of lipase to obtain an optically active cyclohexene diol derivative and then an optically active cyclohexenone derivative represented by the following formula: ##STR1## According to the present invention, optically active cyclohexene diol derivatives and optically-active cyclohexenone derivatives, which are intermediates for synthesizing physiologically active materials, can be obtained efficiently.

Abstract: Cyclic ketones of the general formula I ##STR1## where n is an integer from 4 to 6, are prepared by reacting aliphatic dicarbonitriles of the general formula IINC--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --CN (II),where n has the abovementioned meaning, in the gas phase in the presence of water at from 250.degree. to 500.degree. C. on solid oxide catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of substituted cyclobutanes and their use as intermediates for the preparation of anti-viral nucleoside analogs.

Abstract: Perhydro-5,5-8a-trimethyl-2-naphthalenone is prepared by acid cyclization of carboxylic esters of formula ##STR1## having a double bond in one of the positions indicated by the dotted lines and wherein symbol R designates a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl radical, X stands for a monovalent radical of formula P(O)(OR.sup.1).sub.2 or C(O)R.sup.2, R.sup.1 represents a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group and R.sup.2 is either a linear or branched alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl radical, and wherein the wavy line represents a C--C bond of cis or trans configuration, or of formula ##STR2## wherein the wavy lines and symbol R are defined as above, and R.sup.0 represents a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkyl radical, preferably branched, followed by basic decarboxylation of the obtained product.

Abstract: A release tag reagent suitable for use in the chemical analysis of a substance to be detected, which substance contains reactive groups, such as for, but not limited to gas phase detection groups, which reagent comprises three covalently bonded groups: a signal group which on release provides a ketone signal compound to be detected, a release group which may be cleaved to release the ketone signal group, which release group contains, for example, a vic glycol or an olefin group and a reactivity group which is reactive with a reactive group of the substance to be detected.

Abstract: An optically active (S)- or (R)-pentane compound of the general formula (11): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.11, R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 independently represent a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sub.14 represents a hydroxy, protected hydroxy or oxo group, if R.sub.14 is an oxo group, the ring denoting benzene in the above formula (11) is benzoquinone, R.sub.15 represents a hydrogen atom, hydroxy or acyloxy group, R.sub.16 represents a hydroxy or acyloxy group, and the chiral central carbon marked with a symbol * in said formula (11) alternatively has one of an R-configuration and an S-configuration, is disclosed. Further, intermediate products of the compound of the formula (11) are also disclosed. Still further, a process for manufacturing the above compounds is disclosed. The compound of the formula (11) is easily synthesized from an easily available optically active starting material.

Abstract: The preparation of magnesium benzyl fluoromalonate and other equivalent materials, the synthetic equivalents of the --CH.sub.2 F moiety, is described. Reaction between these reagents and the in situ-formed imidazolides of various carboxylic acids gives beta-keto-alpha-fluoroesters, which upon hydrogenation and spontaneous decarboxylation yields fluoromethyl ketones in excellent yields. The overall transformation from RCOOH to RCOCH.sub.2 F is thus illustrated.

Abstract: The preparation of ketones by reacting an acylating agent with an organo-manganous compound is catalyzed by a copper compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of cyclopentanone from adipic acid wherein adipic acid vapor in an inert gas at a temperature of from 250.degree. C. to 450.degree. C., possibly accompanied by water vapor, is passed over an oxygenous acidic or basic catalyst.

Abstract: Process of preparation of ketones by the reaction of an organo-metallic compound with a compound carrying a carbonyl, within a solvent, in the presence of a manganous salt as catalyst. The manganous salt is in the form of a double salt of Mn and an alkali metal cation.

Abstract: Cyclopentanone is prepared from adipic esters by reacting adipic esters of the formulaR.sup.1 OOC--(CH.sub.2).sub.4 --COOR.sup.2where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 or 6 carbon atoms, aralkyl or aryl and R.sup.2 can additionally be hydrogen, in the gas or liquid phase at from 150.degree. C. to 450.degree. C. in the presence of zeolitic catalysts and/or phosphate catalysts, preferably zeolites of the pentasil type.

Abstract: Cycloheptanone (suberone) is prepared by first evaporating suberic-acid esters which are reacted in alcoholic and/or aqueous dilution in the gas phase on aluminum oxide support catalyst doped with zinc oxide and/or cerium oxide at temperatures between 300.degree. and 600.degree. C.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing optically active alpha-halogenated carbonyl compounds.This process consists of transforming the carbonyl compound into the corresponding acetal with tartaric acid or a derivative thereof, halogenating this acetal and releasing the carbonyl compound.

Abstract: Described is a process for preparing 4,4A,5,6-tetrahydro-7-methyl-2-(3H)-naphthalenone having the structure: ##STR1## and intermediates useful in such process defined according to the structure: ##STR2## wherein one of R.sub.3 or R.sub.4 is hydrogen and the other of R.sub.3 or R.sub.4 is acetyl; and one of R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 is methyl and the other of R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 is acetoxy, said compound defined according to the structure: ##STR3## being useful in augmenting or enhancing the aroma or taste of consumable materials including foodstuffs, chewing gums, medicinal products, chewing tobaccos, toothpastes, smoking tobaccos, smoking tobacco articles, perfumes, colognes and perfumed articles including solid or liquid anionic, cationic, nonionic or zwitterionic detergents, fabric softeners, fabric softener articles and perfumed polymers.

Abstract: A method and drug form enhancing the absorption of a rectally or orally administered drug from the rectal compartment into the blood stream of a warm blooded animal. The method includes the steps of preparing a drug form capable of being rectally and orally administered. The drug form comprises a therapeutically effective unit dosage amount of a selected drug of the type which is capable of being absorbed into the blood stream from the gastrointestinal area and an .alpha.-keto aldehyde or salts thereof being present in the drug form in a sufficient amount to be effective in enhancing the drug absorption rate, when administering the drug form to warm blooded animals.

Abstract: Novel compounds of the formulae ##STR1## wherein R represents lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, A represents --CH.sub.2 --, --CO-- or ##STR2## n represents an integer of 1 to 8, X represents hydrogen or hydroxyl which may be protected and Y represents hydroxyl which may be protected, and their esters show an excellent action on the lysosomal membranes of cells, and exhibit excellent pharmacological activities such as physiologic host defense control activity, especially immuno-potentiating activity.