This invention relates to methods for the synthesis of spiro[2.5]octane-5, 7-dione and spiro[3.5]nonane-6, 8-dione which are useful as intermediates in the manufacture of pharmaceutically active ingredients.

A solution containing a diketone compound having an alkoxy group, a dialkylzinc represented by general formula (1) and/or a partial hydrolysate of the dialkylzinc, and a solvent is described. A method for producing a zinc oxide thin film involves applying the dialkylzinc solution or a solution containing a dialkylzinc partial hydrolysate to a base material.
ZnR.sup.10.sub.2  (1)
In the formula, R.sup.10 is a C.sub.1-6 linear or branched alkyl group. The solution containing dialkylzinc or dialkylzinc partial hydrolysate can be handled in air, making it possible to form a transparent thin film having high adhesiveness to a substrate even with film formation in air.

This invention relates to a method for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethyl esters of carboxylic acids. Said method consists of treating the biomass material with an oxidizing agent that is incorporated in an solution comprising one or more acids, one or more alcohols and water, and subsequently performing a catalytic reaction at a higher temperature using the same acidic solution into which a larger volume of alcohol is added, in such a way that the catalytic conversion occurs in a medium with a much higher concentration of alcohol, i.e. with a much higher alcohol-to-water wt ratio. Such a method results in relatively high yields of ethyl esters, such as ethyl esters of formic, acetic, and levulinic acids, while producing a low yield of dialkyl ethers, which are unwanted by-products. The concentration of the oxidizing agent in the pre-treatment step is preferably higher than 6.0 wt %. The oxidizing agent is preferably a Fenton or Fenton-type reagent, and most preferably hydrogen peroxide activated by Fe (II), and/or Ti (IV) ions. The alcohol is preferably ethanol, and when ethanol is used, diethyl ether is formed as the unwanted dialkyl ether by-product. Preferably, the biomass material is pelleted before treatment.

This invention relates to a method for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethyl esters of carboxylic acids. Said method consists of treating the biomass material with an oxidizing agent that is incorporated in an solution comprising one or more acids, one or more alcohols and water, and subsequently performing a catalytic reaction at a higher temperature using the same acidic solution into which a larger volume of alcohol is added, in such a way that the catalytic conversion occurs in a medium with a much higher concentration of alcohol, i.e. with a much higher alcohol-to-water wt ratio. Such a method results in relatively high yields of ethyl esters, such as ethyl esters of formic, acetic, and levulinic acids, while producing a low yield of dialkyl ethers, which are unwanted by-products. The concentration of the oxidizing agent in the pre-treatment step is preferably higher than 6.0 wt %. The oxidizing agent is preferably a Fenton or Fenton-type reagent, and most preferably hydrogen peroxide activated by Fe (II), and/or Ti (IV) ions. The alcohol is preferably ethanol, and when ethanol is used, diethyl ether is formed as the unwanted dialkyl ether by-product. Preferably, the biomass material is pelleted before treatment.

Compounds of formula (I) are photoinitiators or photosensitizers in a photopolymerizable composition:

##STR00001##

R.sub.1 represents a monovalent, linear, branched or cyclic, aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with substituent(s) selected from —Cl, —Br, —OH, ═O, —NH—CO—OR.sub.2, —NH—CO—R.sub.2 or free-radically or ionically polymerizable groups. Each R.sub.2 is independently —H or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; n is ≥1. If n=1, Z and Y are absent and X represents —OR.sub.3; if n is >1, Z represents —OR.sub.4—, Y represents —OR.sub.5— and X represents —H or —OH. R.sub.3 represents —H or R.sub.1; and R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 each independently represent a bivalent hydrocarbon group. The polymerizable moieties as optional substituents of R.sub.1 are polymerizable double or triple bonds, lactam, lactone and epoxide moieties, which are subjectable to ring-opening polymerization; and two of R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 may be linked to one another to form a ring or a dimer.

Compounds of formula (I) are photoinitiators or photosensitizers in a photopolymerizable composition:

##STR00001##

R.sub.1 represents a monovalent, linear, branched or cyclic, aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with substituent(s) selected from —Cl, —Br, —OH, ═O, —NH—CO—OR.sub.2, —NH—CO—R.sub.2 or free-radically or ionically polymerizable groups. Each R.sub.2 is independently —H or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; n is ≥1. If n=1, Z and Y are absent and X represents —OR.sub.3; if n is >1, Z represents —OR.sub.4—, Y represents —OR.sub.5— and X represents —H or —OH. R.sub.3 represents —H or R.sub.1; and R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 each independently represent a bivalent hydrocarbon group. The polymerizable moieties as optional substituents of R.sub.1 are polymerizable double or triple bonds, lactam, lactone and epoxide moieties, which are subjectable to ring-opening polymerization; and two of R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 may be linked to one another to form a ring or a dimer.

This disclosure provides methods for the chemical modification of triglycerides that are highly enriched in specific fatty acids and subsequent use thereof for producing functionally versatile polymers.

This disclosure provides methods for the chemical modification of triglycerides that are highly enriched in specific fatty acids and subsequent use thereof for producing functionally versatile polymers.

The invention provides a novel hydrocarbon-containing carboxylic acid, hydrocarbon-containing sulfonic acid, hydrocarbon-containing sulfuric acid ester, or a salt thereof, and a surfactant. Each of them is a compound represented by the following formula (1):
CR.sup.1R.sup.2R.sup.4—CR.sup.3R.sup.5—X-A
wherein R.sup.1 to R.sup.5 are each H or a monovalent substituent; at least one of R.sup.1 or R.sup.3 is a group represented by the formula: —Y—R.sup.6; at least one of R.sup.2 or R.sup.5 is a group represented by the formula: —X-A or a group represented by the formula: —Y—R.sup.6; and As at the respective appearances are the same as or different from each other, and are each —COOM, —SO.sub.3M, or —OSO.sub.3M.

Disclosed is a chemical process of preparing dehydrohedione from Hedione via α-chlorination and elimination steps. The process can be conducted in a one-pot process or in a continuous reactor system. Accordingly, a simple and cost effective process of preparing cis-Hedione enriched products is developed through reduction of dehydrohedione in the presence of a chiral catalyst system.