We provide a novel and useful process for preparing triphenyl-butene derivative. A process for the preparation of a compound represented by Formula (IV):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,
characterized by reacting a compound represented by Formula (V):

##STR00002##

with a compound represented by Formula (VI):

##STR00003##

wherein R.sup.1 has the same meaning as defined above,
in the presence of 1) a polyvalent metal chloride, 2) a reducing agent and 3) an alkali metal salt and/or a substituted or unsubstituted phenol.

We provide a novel and useful process for preparing triphenyl-butene derivative. A process for the preparation of a compound represented by Formula (IV):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,
characterized by reacting a compound represented by Formula (V):

##STR00002##

with a compound represented by Formula (VI):

##STR00003##

wherein R.sup.1 has the same meaning as defined above,
in the presence of 1) a polyvalent metal chloride, 2) a reducing agent and 3) an alkali metal salt and/or a substituted or unsubstituted phenol.

Methods of making reduced derivatives of hydroxymethyl furfural using metal catalysts are described. The derivatives may have tetrahydrofuran or furan nucleus with alkoxymethyl ether or ester moieties on the 5′ carbon and methanol on the 2′ carbon. Suitable metal catalyst include Raney nickel, a nickel catalyst with a zirconium promoter, a chromite catalyst with a barium, a palladium catalyst, such as palladium on carbon, or a ruthenium catalyst. Also provided are a new class of compounds, which are n-alkoxy hexane diols (i.e., 1,2 or 1,5 hexane diol ethers) and methods of making the same by reduction of furan or tetrahydrofuran derivatives.

Methods of making reduced derivatives of hydroxymethyl furfural using metal catalysts are described. The derivatives may have tetrahydrofuran or furan nucleus with alkoxymethyl ether or ester moieties on the 5′ carbon and methanol on the 2′ carbon. Suitable metal catalyst include Raney nickel, a nickel catalyst with a zirconium promoter, a chromite catalyst with a barium, a palladium catalyst, such as palladium on carbon, or a ruthenium catalyst. Also provided are a new class of compounds, which are n-alkoxy hexane diols (i.e., 1,2 or 1,5 hexane diol ethers) and methods of making the same by reduction of furan or tetrahydrofuran derivatives.

Methods of making reduced derivatives of hydroxymethyl furfural using metal catalysts are described. The derivatives may have tetrahydrofuran or furan nucleus with alkoxymethyl ether or ester moieties on the 5′ carbon and methanol on the 2′ carbon. Suitable metal catalyst include Raney nickel, a nickel catalyst with a zirconium promoter, a chromite catalyst with a barium, a palladium catalyst, such as palladium on carbon, or a ruthenium catalyst. Also provided are a new class of compounds, which are n-alkoxy hexane diols (i.e., 1,2 or 1,5 hexane diol ethers) and methods of making the same by reduction of furan or tetrahydrofuran derivatives.

Using a combination of Kumada, Suzuki and Biellmann chemistry, various menaquinones can synthesised rapidly and with stereochemical integrity offering a new way of preparing these vitamin K2 components for the pharmaceutical market. In one embodiment a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I)

##STR00001## is defined including a step in which (i) a compound of formula (II) is reacted with a compound of formula (III)

##STR00002## wherein R is an alkyl group; LG is a leaving group; m is an integer from 0 to 8; n is an integer of from 0 to 9; and X is hydrogen, halide, hydroxyl or protected hydroxyl; in the presence of a copper, nickel or palladium catalyst.

Using a combination of Kumada, Suzuki and Biellmann chemistry, various menaquinones can synthesised rapidly and with stereochemical integrity offering a new way of preparing these vitamin K2 components for the pharmaceutical market. In one embodiment a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I)

##STR00001## is defined including a step in which (i) a compound of formula (II) is reacted with a compound of formula (III)

##STR00002## wherein R is an alkyl group; LG is a leaving group; m is an integer from 0 to 8; n is an integer of from 0 to 9; and X is hydrogen, halide, hydroxyl or protected hydroxyl; in the presence of a copper, nickel or palladium catalyst.

Using a combination of Kumada, Suzuki and Biellmann chemistry, various menaquinones can synthesised rapidly and with stereochemical integrity offering a new way of preparing these vitamin K2 components for the pharmaceutical market. In one embodiment a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I)

##STR00001## is defined including a step in which (i) a compound of formula (II) is reacted with a compound of formula (III)

##STR00002## wherein R is an alkyl group; LG is a leaving group; m is an integer from 0 to 8; n is an integer of from 0 to 9; and X is hydrogen, halide, hydroxyl or protected hydroxyl; in the presence of a copper, nickel or palladium catalyst.

There is provided a process for the reduction of one or more amide moieties in a compound comprising contacting the compound with hydrogen gas and a transition metal catalyst in the presence or absence of a base under conditions for the reduction an amide bond. The presently described processes can be performed at low catalyst loading using relatively mild temperature and pressures, and optionally, in the presence or absence of a base or high catalyst loadings using low temperatures and pressures and high loadings of base to effect dynamic kinetic resolution of achiral amides.

There is provided a process for the reduction of one or more amide moieties in a compound comprising contacting the compound with hydrogen gas and a transition metal catalyst in the presence or absence of a base under conditions for the reduction an amide bond. The presently described processes can be performed at low catalyst loading using relatively mild temperature and pressures, and optionally, in the presence or absence of a base or high catalyst loadings using low temperatures and pressures and high loadings of base to effect dynamic kinetic resolution of achiral amides.