Provided are prodrugs of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid as well as compositions and uses thereof.

Provided are prodrugs of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid as well as compositions and uses thereof.

The invention provides a new enzimatic process for the preparation of chiral carboxylic acids, their salts and acid derivatives of the general formula (I) by enzymatic hydrolysis of racemic carboxylic acid ester of the general formula (II) and optionally subsequent esterification or acylation.

The invention provides a new enzimatic process for the preparation of chiral carboxylic acids, their salts and acid derivatives of the general formula (I) by enzymatic hydrolysis of racemic carboxylic acid ester of the general formula (II) and optionally subsequent esterification or acylation.

The invention relates to a process for preparing carboxylic acids or salts thereof by hydrolysis or saponification of an ester, which is obtained by alkoxycarbonylation of a C2 to C20 hydrocarbon having at least one multiple bond, preferably having at least one olefinic double bond, in which the homogeneous catalyst system used is separated from the product mixture by means of membrane separation. In a development of the present invention, the ester thus formed is converted into another ester by transesterification and then hydrolyzed or saponified.

The invention relates to a process for preparing carboxylic acids or salts thereof by hydrolysis or saponification of an ester, which is obtained by alkoxycarbonylation of a C2 to C20 hydrocarbon having at least one multiple bond, preferably having at least one olefinic double bond, in which the homogeneous catalyst system used is separated from the product mixture by means of membrane separation. In a development of the present invention, the ester thus formed is converted into another ester by transesterification and then hydrolyzed or saponified.

A process for preparing a 2-(1,2,2-trimethyl-3-cyclopentenyl)-2-oxoethyl carboxylate compound of the following general formula (6), wherein R represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, the process comprising esterifying a 2-(1,2,2-trimethyl-3-cyclopentenyl)-2-oxoethyl compound of the following general formula (5), wherein X represents a hydroxyl group or a halogen atom, to form the 2-(1,2,2-trimethyl-3-cyclopentenyl)-2-oxoethyl carboxylate compound (6).

##STR00001##

A process for preparing a 2-(1,2,2-trimethyl-3-cyclopentenyl)-2-oxoethyl carboxylate compound of the following general formula (6), wherein R represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, the process comprising esterifying a 2-(1,2,2-trimethyl-3-cyclopentenyl)-2-oxoethyl compound of the following general formula (5), wherein X represents a hydroxyl group or a halogen atom, to form the 2-(1,2,2-trimethyl-3-cyclopentenyl)-2-oxoethyl carboxylate compound (6).

##STR00001##

There is described a process for producing biodiesel and related products from mixtures. There is also described a process for producing precursors and feedstock materials for producing biodiesel and related products. The processes use esterification and trans-esterification, separation and purification. Other process steps such as acidification and distillation can also be used.

There is described a process for producing biodiesel and related products from mixtures. There is also described a process for producing precursors and feedstock materials for producing biodiesel and related products. The processes use esterification and trans-esterification, separation and purification. Other process steps such as acidification and distillation can also be used.