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 —C—H 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 the manufacture of N,N-dialkyllactamide, whereby at least one of the compounds selected from the series made of alkyl lactate, lactide and polylactic acid is mixed with dialkylamine in order to form a reaction mixture, under conditions whereby aminolysis takes place in the reaction mixture. The method is characterized in that the reaction mixture further includes a Lewis acid. As a result of the method, N,N-dialkyllactamides can be manufactured in high yields and with high optical purity.

A method for the manufacture of N,N-dialkyllactamide, whereby at least one of the compounds selected from the series made of alkyl lactate, lactide and polylactic acid is mixed with dialkylamine in order to form a reaction mixture, under conditions whereby aminolysis takes place in the reaction mixture. The method is characterized in that the reaction mixture further includes a Lewis acid. As a result of the method, N,N-dialkyllactamides can be manufactured in high yields and with high optical purity.

A method for the manufacture of N,N-dialkyllactamide, whereby at least one of the compounds selected from the series made of alkyl lactate, lactide and polylactic acid is mixed with dialkylamine in order to form a reaction mixture, under conditions whereby aminolysis takes place in the reaction mixture. The method is characterized in that the reaction mixture further includes a Lewis acid. As a result of the method, N,N-dialkyllactamides can be manufactured in high yields and with high optical purity.

Provided herein are integrated methods and systems for the production of acrylamide and acrylonitrile compounds and other compounds from at least beta-lactones and/or beta-hydroxy amides.

Provided herein are integrated methods and systems for the production of acrylamide and acrylonitrile compounds and other compounds from at least beta-lactones and/or beta-hydroxy amides.

The present invention discloses a metal-catalyzed process for hydration of nitrile under the influence of the ultrasonic cavitation effect. The present invention further discloses a catalyst of formula (I), wherein the catalyst is used for process for hydration of nitrile and process for preparation thereof.

A.sub.XB.sub.YC.sub.Z   Formula (I)

The present invention discloses a metal-catalyzed process for hydration of nitrile under the influence of the ultrasonic cavitation effect. The present invention further discloses a catalyst of formula (I), wherein the catalyst is used for process for hydration of nitrile and process for preparation thereof.

A.sub.XB.sub.YC.sub.Z   Formula (I)

A process for preparing amides by reacting a primary amine and a primary alcohol in the presence of a Ruthenium complex to generate the amide and molecular hydrogen. Primary amines are directly acylated by equimolar amounts of alcohols to produce amides and molecular hydrogen (the only byproduct) in high yields and high turnover numbers. Also disclosed are processes for hydrogenation of amides to alcohols and amines; hydrogenation of organic carbonates to alcohols; hydrogenation of carbamates or urea derivatives to alcohols and amines; amidation of esters; acylation of alcohols using esters; coupling of alcohols with water and a base to form carboxylic acids; dehydrogenation of beta-amino alcohols to form pyrazines and cyclic dipeptides; and dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols to ketones. These reactions are catalyzed by a Ruthenium complex which is based on a dearomatized PNN-type ligand of formula A1 or precursors thereof of formulae A2 or A3.

A process for preparing amides by reacting a primary amine and a primary alcohol in the presence of a Ruthenium complex to generate the amide and molecular hydrogen. Primary amines are directly acylated by equimolar amounts of alcohols to produce amides and molecular hydrogen (the only byproduct) in high yields and high turnover numbers. Also disclosed are processes for hydrogenation of amides to alcohols and amines; hydrogenation of organic carbonates to alcohols; hydrogenation of carbamates or urea derivatives to alcohols and amines; amidation of esters; acylation of alcohols using esters; coupling of alcohols with water and a base to form carboxylic acids; dehydrogenation of beta-amino alcohols to form pyrazines and cyclic dipeptides; and dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols to ketones. These reactions are catalyzed by a Ruthenium complex which is based on a dearomatized PNN-type ligand of formula A1 or precursors thereof of formulae A2 or A3.