A process of producing methacrylic acid and/or derivatives thereof including the following steps: (a) biologically converting isobutyryl-CoA into methacrylyl-CoA by the action of an oxidase; and (b) converting methacrylyl-CoA into methacrylic acid and/or derivatives thereof. The invention also extends to microorganisms adapted to conduct the steps of the process.

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing textile waste into fiber grade polyester chips applicable to textile processing. The method comprises textile waste crushing, alcoholysis, filtering and separation, cooling crystallization, pressing, decoloration, distillation purification, preheating, prepolycondensation, polycondensation, cooling strip casting, and cutting into particles. By reducing textile waste to high purity bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalate (hereinafter referred to as BHET), fiber grade polyester chips applicable to textile processing are re-manufactured. Thus, efficient recycling is achieved.

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing textile waste into fiber grade polyester chips applicable to textile processing. The method comprises textile waste crushing, alcoholysis, filtering and separation, cooling crystallization, pressing, decoloration, distillation purification, preheating, prepolycondensation, polycondensation, cooling strip casting, and cutting into particles. By reducing textile waste to high purity bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalate (hereinafter referred to as BHET), fiber grade polyester chips applicable to textile processing are re-manufactured. Thus, efficient recycling is achieved.

A method for esterification of one or more carboxylic acid groups in a compound containing one or more carboxylic acid groups wherein the esterification reagent is a diazo-compound of formula:

##STR00001##

wherein the R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 groups of the diazo compound are selected such that the corresponding organic compound of formula:

##STR00002##

exhibits a CH pKa value between 18 and 29 as measured in DMSO. Specific reagents and methods for esterification are provided. The esterification reagents provided exhibit high selectivity for esterification of carboxylic acid groups over reaction with amine, alcohol or thiol groups in the compound containing one or more carboxylic acid groups. The method can be used to selectively esterify carboxylic acid groups in peptides or proteins.

A method for esterification of one or more carboxylic acid groups in a compound containing one or more carboxylic acid groups wherein the esterification reagent is a diazo-compound of formula:

##STR00001##

wherein the R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 groups of the diazo compound are selected such that the corresponding organic compound of formula:

##STR00002##

exhibits a CH pKa value between 18 and 29 as measured in DMSO. Specific reagents and methods for esterification are provided. The esterification reagents provided exhibit high selectivity for esterification of carboxylic acid groups over reaction with amine, alcohol or thiol groups in the compound containing one or more carboxylic acid groups. The method can be used to selectively esterify carboxylic acid groups in peptides or proteins.

A process for a reactive separation of organic molecules from biomass includes a reaction step for the biomass, a simultaneous extraction step using a solvent, and a filtration step to recover products, wherein the products comprise ferulic acid and/or coumaric acid. The products are extracted from the biomass in a pressurized stirred batch reactor using a liquid extraction solvent and a base in which the ferulate and the coumarate remain.

A process for a reactive separation of organic molecules from biomass includes a reaction step for the biomass, a simultaneous extraction step using a solvent, and a filtration step to recover products, wherein the products comprise ferulic acid and/or coumaric acid. The products are extracted from the biomass in a pressurized stirred batch reactor using a liquid extraction solvent and a base in which the ferulate and the coumarate remain.

The present invention provides processes for the preparation of 3, 5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene or a salt or solvate thereof and novel intermediates used therein. In some embodiments the 3, 5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene is prepared from (E)-2-chloro-2-isopropyl-5-styrylcyclohexane-1,3-dione. Also disclosed are crystal forms of 3, 5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene or a salt or solvate thereof and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same.

The present invention is directed to methods for preparing Beraprost and novel synthetic intermediates for Beraprost.

The present invention is directed to methods for preparing Beraprost and novel synthetic intermediates for Beraprost.