A method of producing -caprolactam from 3-oxoadipic acid includes: step 1 of mixing at least one selected from the group consisting of 3-oxoadipic acid and salts thereof with a catalyst and a solvent in the presence of hydrogen to produce 3-hydroxyadipic acid; and step 2 of reacting the 3-hydroxyadipic acid which is a product of step 1, a salt or carboxylic acid derivative thereof, or a mixture of these with hydrogen and ammonia.

A method for separating a homogeneous catalyst from a solution includes forming a host-guest compound between a first isomer of the catalyst and inclusion compound in the solution and isolating the host-guest compound from the solution. The catalyst may be released from the inclusion compound by converting the first isomer of the catalyst to a second isomer of the catalyst.

A method for separating a homogeneous catalyst from a solution includes forming a host-guest compound between a first isomer of the catalyst and inclusion compound in the solution and isolating the host-guest compound from the solution. The catalyst may be released from the inclusion compound by converting the first isomer of the catalyst to a second isomer of the catalyst.

The invention relates to a method for preparing 6-aminocaproic acid (hereinafter also referred to as 6-ACA) using a biocatalyst. The invention further relates to a method for preparing E-caprolactam (hereafter referred to as caprolactam) by cyclising such 6-ACA. The invention further relates to a host cell, a micro-organism, or a polynucleotide which may be used in the preparation of 6-ACA or caprolactam.

The invention relates to a method for preparing 6-aminocaproic acid (hereinafter also referred to as 6-ACA) using a biocatalyst. The invention further relates to a method for preparing E-caprolactam (hereafter referred to as caprolactam) by cyclising such 6-ACA. The invention further relates to a host cell, a micro-organism, or a polynucleotide which may be used in the preparation of 6-ACA or caprolactam.

The invention provides heterocyclic compounds with quaternary centers and methods of preparing compounds. Methods include the method for the preparation of a compound of Formula (II): ##STR00001##
comprising treating a compound of Formula (I): ##STR00002##
with a transition metal catalyst and under alkylation conditions as valence and stability permit.

The invention provides heterocyclic compounds with quaternary centers and methods of preparing compounds. Methods include the method for the preparation of a compound of Formula (II): ##STR00001##
comprising treating a compound of Formula (I): ##STR00002##
with a transition metal catalyst and under alkylation conditions as valence and stability permit.

A continuous method for depolymerizing polycaprolactam waste into caprolactam is described. In the method, a melt of the polycaprolactam waste and an inert gas are fed to a reactor in a continuous manner. Water and an aromatic hydrocarbon are also fed to the reactor and the polycaprolactam waste is contacted with superheated steam of the water/hydrocarbon mixture at a temperature of between 260? C. and 300? C. and at a gauge pressure from 1 barg to 70 barg. Turbulent mixing conditions are created in the reactor, and a caprolactam-containing vapor stream is created in the reactor which exits the reactor at an outlet. The caprolactam is separated from the exited caprolactam-containing vapor stream by partial condensation, and collected. A reactor system for carrying out the method is also described.

This describes homogeneous catalysts that are recoverable from solution by being phase selective and through host-guest interactions. An example of a method includes separating a water soluble N-heterocyclic carbene homogeneous catalyst from a solution by: (a) forming a host-guest compound between the catalyst and an inclusion compound in the solution; and (b) isolating the host-guest compound from the solution.

This describes homogeneous catalysts that are recoverable from solution by being phase selective and through host-guest interactions. An example of a method includes separating a water soluble N-heterocyclic carbene homogeneous catalyst from a solution by: (a) forming a host-guest compound between the catalyst and an inclusion compound in the solution; and (b) isolating the host-guest compound from the solution.