Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of synthesizing insect pheromones, particularly lepidopteran insect pheromones, their precursors and derivatives from inexpensive, readily available starting materials using olefin metathesis catalysis.

Abstract: Hexafluoroacetone or a hydrate thereof is produced with a high yield by subjecting a 1-fluoro-4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2,3,5-trioxolanyl ether compound represented by the general formula: wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an aryl group, or a benzyl group, which has been obtained by ozone oxidation of a heptafluoroisobutenyl ether compound, to a reduction reaction in the presence of a reducing agent selected from dialkyl sulfide containing an alkyl group having 3 or 4 carbon atoms, diaryl sulfide, diaryl disulfide, and diaralkyl sulfide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of dihydroxyacetone monoethers as self-tanning substance, to preparations comprising dihydroxyacetone monoethers, and to certain dihydroxyacetone monoethers and to a process for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for producing a haloalkenone ether of the Formula (I) wherein R1 is C1-C6 haloalkyl, R2 is a C1-C6 alkyl or phenyl, the process comprising:—(i) reacting, in a first continuous stirred tank reactor comprising a solvent, a halide of Formula (II) wherein R1 is as previously defined and R3 is halogen, with a vinyl ether of Formula (III) wherein R2 is as previously defined, to form an intermediate compound of Formula (IV), wherein the concentration of the vinyl ether of Formula (III) in the reaction mass is 15% or less w/w; and (ii) transferring the reaction mass from the first continuous stirred tank reactor into a subsequent continuous stirred tank reactor, wherein the conditions within the subsequent reactor permit the elimination of hydrogen halide (HR3) from the intermediate compound of Formula (IV) to provide the haloalkenone ether of Formula (I).

Abstract: A process for preparing a halogenated precursor of an alkenone, which comprises reacting a carboxylic acid halide with a vinyl ether in a liquid reaction medium under turbulent conditions and a process for preparing an alkenone, by eliminating hydrogen halide from said precursor to form the alkenone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of synthesizing insect pheromones, particularly lepidopteran insect pheromones, their precursors and derivatives from inexpensive, readily available starting materials using olefin metathesis catalysis.

Abstract: Process for preparing an alkenone, which comprises (a) reacting a carboxylic acid halide with a vinyl ether by introducing vinyl ether into a liquid reaction medium containing carboxylic acid halide to form a halogenated precursor of the alkenone and (b) eliminating hydrogen halide from said precursor to form the alkenone.

Abstract: Process for preparing an alkenone, which comprises the following steps: (a) providing a halogenated precursor of the alkenone; and (b) eliminating the hydrogen halide from said precursor to form the alkenone by a thermolysis treatment selected from the group consisting of flash thermolysis, vacuum thermolysis, and thermolysis under stripping with inert gas.

Abstract: A process for preparing a halogenated precursor of an alkenone, which comprises reacting a carboxylic acid halide with a vinyl ether in a liquid reaction medium comprising an alkenone or a halogenated precursor of the alkenone, and a process for preparing an alkenone, which comprises (a) reacting a carboxylic acid halide with a vinyl ether by introducing vinyl ether into a liquid reaction medium containing carboxylic acid halide to form a halogenated precursor of the alkenone and (b) eliminating hydrogen halide from said precursor to form the alkenone.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of a carbonyl compound in high efficiency by oxidizing an alcohol. The process for the preparation of a carbonyl compound of the present invention includes a step of oxidizing an alcohol in the presence of a compound of the formula (I) or a derivative or a salt thereof, and an oxidant, wherein R1 and R2 independently represent hydrogen, a halogen, a nitro or acidic group, or an alkyl or alkoxy group, each of which optionally has a substituent, or R1 and R2 combine the two carbon atoms to which they are boned to form an aromatic ring.

Abstract: A method for preparing an ?-halo enal or enone from an unprotected propargyl alcohol and an electrophilic halogen source catalyzed by the combination of a gold catalyst complex and a metal co-catalyst complex is disclosed. The method can be further enhanced by addition of an additive that facilitates suppression of a des-halo derivative.

Abstract: A process for preparing a halogenated precursor of an alkenone, which comprises reacting a carboxylic acid halide with a vinyl ether in a liquid reaction medium comprising an alkenone or a halogenated precursor of the alkenone, and a process for preparing an alkenone, which comprises (a) reacting a carboxylic acid halide with a vinyl ether by introducing vinyl ether into a liquid reaction medium containing carboxylic acid halide to form a halogenated precursor of the alkenone and (b) eliminating hydrogen halide from said precursor to form the alkenone.

Abstract: Process for preparing an alkenone, which comprises (a) reacting a carboxylic acid halide with a vinyl ether by introducing vinyl ether into a liquid reaction medium containing carboxylic acid halide to form a halogenated precursor of the alkenone and (b) eliminating hydrogen halide from said precursor to form the alkenone.

Abstract: A method for preparing an ?-halo enal or enone from an unprotected propargyl alcohol and an electrophilic halogen source catalyzed by the combination of a gold catalyst complex and a metal co-catalyst complex is disclosed. The method can be further enhanced by addition of an additive that facilitates suppression of a des-halo derivative.

Abstract: 4-Chloro-4-alkoxy-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-butanones, prepared by reacting alkyl vinyl ethers with trifluoroacetyl chloride, are useful for preparing 4-alkoxy-1,1,1-trifluoro-3-buten-2-ones.

Abstract: 4-Chloro-4-alkoxy-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-butanones, prepared by reacting alkyl vinyl ethers with trifluoroacetyl chloride, are useful for preparing 4-alkoxy-1,1,1-trifluoro-3-buten-2-ones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of purified solanesol, solanesyl bromide & solanesyl acetone. Solanesyl acetone has the chemical name—all—trans 6,10,14,18,22,26,30,34,38-nonamethyl-5,9,13,17,21,25,29,33,37-triacontanonaen-2-one, of formula 1 and is used for synthesis of coenzyme Q10.

Abstract: Methylheptenone (2-methyl-2-hepten-6-one) is prepared by reacting 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol with isopropenyl methyl ether in the presence of hydrogen tris(oxalato)phosphate or hydrogen bis(oxalato)borate.

Abstract: A method for preparing ketones in greater yield and selectivity compared to previous catalyzed reactions by acid-catalyzed condensation reaction using a metal-doped polysulfonated ion exchange resin catalyst is disclosed. For example, use of polysulfonated ion exchange resins having at least 5.0 milliequivalents sulfonic acid groups/gram catalyst and loaded with metal, such as palladium, provides enhanced yields of methyl isobutyl ketone from the condensation reaction of acetone compared to use of conventional monosulfonated ion exchange resin catalysts.

Abstract: Intermediate compounds which can be used in the preparation of phytone and Vitamin E, a process for the preparation thereof, and a process for the preparation of phytone and Vitamin E from these intermediate compounds.

Abstract: Dialkyl ketones are prepared by reductive carbonylation of &agr;-olefins by means of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst system comprising (a) palladium or a palladium compound; (b) a phosphine; (c) a protic acid having a pKa of ≦4.5, measured in aqueous solution at 25° C.; and (d) a solubilizable carboxamide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of 2,3-pentanedione starting with hydroxyacetone and paraldehyde.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a linear perfluoroalkanone or a perfluorocycloalkanone, which comprises using as a starting material a combination of the same or different kinds of compounds that are selected from perfluoroalkanoyl halides represented by the formula: F(CF2)nCOX wherein X is F, Cl, Br or I and n is an integer of 1 to 8, or a perfluoroalkanedioyl dihalide represented by the formula: XOC(CF2)nCOX wherein X is F, Cl, Br or I and n is an integer of 3 to 8, and reacting the starting material with a metal carbonate or metal carbonates. According to the present invention, perfluoroalkanones can be produced with a good yield from relatively easily available starting materials by a simple synthesis method.

Abstract: A process for preparing an &agr;-haloketone of the formula (1) where R1 is an optionally heteroatom-containing and optionally substituted hydrocarbon radical, R2 is a hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl or aryl radical, and X is a halogen radical, by reacting a carboxylic acid derivative of the general formula (2) where L is a leaving group, with a mono- or dienolate of a silyl ester of the formula (3) where R3 and R4 are identical or different alkyl, aryl, alkenyl or aralkyl radicals; and hydrolyzing the reaction product immediately afterwards by adding acid and decarboxylating to (1). The product &agr;-haloketone may be reduced to the corresponding &agr;-haloalcohol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a carbonyl compound of the general formula (1) R1R2C═O  (1), in which a &bgr;-hydroxycarboxylic acid or its salt of the general formula (2) R1R2C(OH)—CR3R4—COOM  (2) is cleaved in the presence of a Brönstedt base which is selected from hydroxides, alkanolates, oxides, amides and hydrides of the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, and in the presence of a hydroxyl-free solvent, R1, R2, R3, R4 and M having the meanings from claim 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the selective oxidation of alcohols to ketones or to aldehydes by means of an alkali hypohalite under alkaline conditions, which comprises carrying out the oxidation in the presence of a heterogeneous oxidation catalyst that is insoluble in the reaction medium and is selected from the group comprising the compounds of formula (I) 1 2

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a process for the catalytic hydrogenation of organic compounds on a catalyst of amorphous metal alloys and in a solvent, with the hydrogenation being carried out under near-critical or supercritical conditions of the solvent. The amorphous metal alloys can be produced by the shock cooling of alloy melts having eutectic solidification points. By hydrogenation at hydrogen partial pressures between 5 and 400 bar there is obtained outstanding space-time yields with high long-term stability of the catalytic activity.

Abstract: Serricornin, the attractant pheromone of the cigarette beetle, is synthesized in high enantiomeric and diastereomeric purity via a series of reactions of asymmetric 2-(1-haloalkyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolanes with Grignard reagents, which lead to the key intermediate ?,S-(R*,R*,R*)!-2-ethyl-3,5-dimethyl-l-octen-6-ol. Oxidative cleavage of the carbon-carbon double bond of ?S-(R*,R*,R*)!-2-ethyl-3,5-dimethyl-l-octen -6-ol with osmium tetroxide and sodium periodate yields serricornin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of glyoxals which comprises effecting the oxidative dehydrogenation of a glycol at a temperature of 400.degree. to 700.degree. C. in the presence of a silver-based catalyst composed of silver and at least one element selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, rhodium and palladium, and phosphorus or a phosphorus compound, as well as such catalysts. These process and catalysts make it possible to produce high-quality glyoxals in high yield and with industrial advantages while minimizing the contents of unreacted raw material and reaction intermediates such as glycolaldehyde and acetol.

Abstract: A process for the selective oxidation of a primary or secondary alcohol to an aldehyde or ketone and for the oxidation of a 1,2-diol to an .alpha.-ketol or .alpha.-diketone, which comprises contacting the alcohol or 1,2-diol with o-iodoxybenzoic acid. This process is suited for selective oxidation of alcohols containing easily oxidizable groups, such as amino or thioether groups and easily oxidizable heterocycles.

Abstract: A method of making hexafluoroacetone from hexafluoroacetone oxime comprising heating hexafluoroacetone oxime (or solvent complex thereof) with a concentrated mineral acid to yield hexafluoroacetone. Also a method of making hexafluoroacetone oxime from hexafluoroisobutyroyl carbanion alkylammonium salts. The oxime can be prepared by reacting the salts in solvent with an alkali or alkaline earth metal nitrite and subsequently decarboxylating and hydrolyzing the reaction product, or alternatively, reacting the salts in a solvent with dinitrogen tri- or tetra-oxide and subsequently decarboxylating and hydrolyzing the reaction product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method of condensing polyenic compounds wherein a compound having the formula III ##STR1## is condensed with a compound having the formula IV ##STR2## under the influence of a Lewis acid or a protic acid. R.sub.1 through R.sub.7 represent alkyl or alkenyl groups, A' is preferably chlorine, B is preferably a hydroxyl group, and n' is 0 to 10. The invention also relates to novel intermediates for use in the preparation of Vitamins A and E produced by means of the new method.

Abstract: Alternative methods for synthesizing haloenones and haloakenes and their use as starting materials for synthesis of substituted or unsubstituted alkyl and aryl substituted enones and alkenes, including tamoxifen and tamoxifen analogs, using such haloenones and haloalkenes.

Abstract: The present invention provides alkyl and alkylbenzyl ethers of substituted hydroquinones and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The present invention further provides methods of using these compounds and compositions to inhibit monoamine oxidase, particularly monoamine oxidase B. The present invention further provides methods for the treatment of diseases involving monoamine oxidase.

Abstract: Epoxides are converted selectively to the corresponding carbonyl-containing compounds by reacting the epoxide with an oxidizing agent, typically hydrogen peroxide, in a liquid aqueous/organic two-phase system comprising:(a) an organic phase substantially containing the epoxide, and(b) an aqueous acidic phase substantially containing the oxidizing agent, in the presence of an onium compound capable of achieving phase partitioning and a catalytic system comprising a first catalyst component which is at least one element selected from tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium and chromium, or a compound containing at least one of the aforesaid elements, and a second catalyst component which is a phosphorus (V) acid or a species convertible to a phosphorus (V) acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified turmeric. The modified turmeric is a phosphorylated turmeric that results in a structure having greatly improved stability in the presence of light, and solubility in the presence of a solution. The invention produces a natural dye for use as a substitute for yelIow dye No. 5.

Abstract: Polyoxypropylene diketones are prepared by initially adding predetermined amounts of a mono- or dicarboxylic acid having a pK<4.5 and a water solubility at 25.degree. C. of >1%, a polyoxypropylene glycol and, optionally, water, to a reaction zone and thereafter adding an aqueous solution of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal hypochlorite oxidant to the reaction zone with agitation under reaction conditions including a temperature of about 10.degree. to about 50.degree. C., a pressure of about 0 to 1,000 psig. and a total reaction time of about 0.5 to 20 hours, whereby said polyoxypropylene glycol will be substantially selectively converted to the said corresponding diketone, and recovering said diketone.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of alpha,alpha-difluoroketones from alpha,alpha-difluoroacylsilanes and intermediates therefor.

Abstract: Novel aminoketones useful as central muscle relaxants and their preparation processes are disclosed. The disclosed processes are novel processes which do not use any heavy metal in view of the facts that their products are will be used as drugs and which require no complex purification step such as liberation of the aminoketones from their hydrochlorides or the like.

Abstract: Polyoxypropylene diketones are prepared by initially adding predetermined amounts of glacial acetic acid, a polyoxypropylene glycol and, optionally, water, to a reaction zone and thereafter adding an aqueous solution of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal hypochlorite oxidant to the reaction zone with agitation under reaction conditions including a temperature of about 10.degree. to about 50.degree. C., a pressure of about 0 to 1,000 psig. and a total reaction time of about 0.5 to 20 hours, whereby said polyoxypropylene glycol will be substantially selectively converted to the said corresponding diketone, and recovering said diketone.

Abstract: A process for the production of 4,6-dimethyl-7-hydroxynonan-3-one of specific stereochemistry is disclosed. The process results in an active (+)-serricornin.

Abstract: Hexafluoracetone or its hydrate is produced in a higher yield than that of the conventional process (1) by oxidizing a heptafluoroisobutenyl ether with ozone or (2) by thermally decomposing an octafluoroisobutyl ether or a heptafluoroisobutenyl ether in the presence of oxygen and an activated carbon catalyst.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing ketones by contacting a secondary aliphatic alcohol in the vapor phase with a trimetallic catalyst containing molybdenum, rhenium and a Group VIII noble metal.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for forming ketones from the corresponding olefins in the vapor phase in the presence of water vapor employing a heterogeneous catalyst comprising rhenium compounds and complexes, optionally containing at least one metal compound or complex selected from the group consisting of Group VIB metals and Group VIII noble metals, and mixtures thereof. It has been surprisingly found that these catalysts effect the formation of ketones in high selectivities with minimal selectivities to the undesirable carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide by-products.

Abstract: A method for the dehydroxylation of alpha-hydroxyketone using lithium diphenylphosphide. The alpha-hydroxyketone, e.g. benzoin, is reacted with a solution of lithium diphenylphosphide followed by the addition of either an alkyl halide, e.g. methyliodide, or an alkyl halide and an organic acid, e.g. acetic acid, to yield the dehydroxylated compound, e.g. desoxybenzoin.

Abstract: A preparing method of optically active ketones given by a general formula ##STR1## (wherein R represents a hydrocarbon group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms and R' represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. The hydrocarbon groups of R and R' may contain functional groups having no influence on the reaction. But, * represents an asymmetric carbon atom, and R represents a more electron donating group than R' (except when R=R') through the rearrangement reaction by using organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: This invention deals with the use of a perfluorocarbon polymer oxidation catalyst consisting of a perfluorocarbon main chain and a side chain constructed from structural units of chromium (III) difluoromethylene sulfonate or cerium (IV) difluoromethylene sulfonate in a method of preparing a carbonyl compound through an oxidation of an alcohol.

Abstract: A method of preparing optically active ketones having the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 indicate hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms characterized by submitting an optically active sulfonyloxy alcohol having the general formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 indicate hydrocarbon groups having carbon atoms of 1 to 20 and which optionally contain N, O, P and S. The symbol * indicates asymmetric carbon atoms to rearrangement in a solvent and in the presence of organoaluminum compounds given by the general formula R.sub.3-n.sup.4 AlX.sub.n, (wherein R.sup.4 indicates an alkyl group having carbon atoms of 1 to 20 and X indicates a halogen atom, an alkoxy group or a CN group. n is 1, 1.5 or 2).

Abstract: An improved process is provided for forming ketones from the corresponding olefins by vapor phase oxidation of the olefin in the presence of water vapor, and optionally in the additional presence of molecular oxygen employing a heterogeneous catalyst comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of Ce, Nd and La and compounds and complexes thereof, optionally containing at least one metal compound or complex selected from the group consisting of Group VIB metals and Group VIII noble metals, and mixtures thereof. It has been surprisingly found that these catalysts effect the formation of ketones in high selectivities with minimal selectivities to the undesirable carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide by-products.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for forming ketones from the corresponding olefins in the vapor phase in the presence of water vapor employing a heterogeneous catalyst comprising rhenium compounds and complexes, optionally containing at least one metal compound or complex selected from the group consisting of Group VIB metals and Group VIII noble metals, and mixtures thereof. It has been surprisingly found that these catalysts effect the formation of ketones in high selectivities with minimal selectivities to the undesirable carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide by-products.