A catalyst has a modified silica support and comprises a modifier metal, zirconium and/or hafnium, and a catalytic metal on the modified support. The catalyst has at least a proportion, typically, at least 25%, of modifier metal present in moieties having a total of up to 2 modifier metal atoms. The moieties may be derived from a monomeric and/or dimeric cation source. A method of production:— provides a silica support with isolated silanol groups with optional treatment to provide isolated silanol groups (—SiOH) at a level of <2.5 groups per nm.sup.2; contacting the optionally treated silica support with a monomeric zirconium or hafnium modifier metal compound to effect adsorption onto the support; optionally calcining the modified support for a time and temperature sufficient to convert the monomeric zirconium or hafnium compound adsorbed on the surface to an oxide or hydroxide of zirconium or hafnium in preparation for catalyst impregnation.

The present invention provides processes for the preparation of 3, 5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene or a salt or solvate thereof and novel intermediates used therein. In some embodiments the 3, 5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene is prepared from (E)-2-chloro-2-isopropyl-5-styrylcyclohexane-1,3-dione. Also disclosed are crystal forms of 3, 5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene or a salt or solvate thereof and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same.

The present invention provides processes for the preparation of 3, 5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene or a salt or solvate thereof and novel intermediates used therein. In some embodiments the 3, 5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene is prepared from (E)-2-chloro-2-isopropyl-5-styrylcyclohexane-1,3-dione. Also disclosed are crystal forms of 3, 5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene or a salt or solvate thereof and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same.

The present invention provides processes for the preparation of 3, 5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene or a salt or solvate thereof and novel intermediates used therein. In some embodiments the 3, 5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene is prepared from (E)-2-chloro-2-isopropyl-5-styrylcyclohexane-1,3-dione. Also disclosed are crystal forms of 3, 5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene or a salt or solvate thereof and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same.

A process for making sorbic acid from renewable materials is provided. The process comprises converting acetic acid to ketene; converting acetaldehyde to crotonaldehyde; reacting the ketene with the crotonaldehyde to produce a polyester; and converting the polyester to sorbic acid. Renewable materials are incorporated by one of the following methods: a) the acetic acid is produced by reacting methanol derived from renewable organic material with carbon monoxide, b) the acetic acid is a biobased acetic acid, c) the crotonaldehyde is a biobased crotonaldehyde, d) the crotonaldehyde is produced by converting a biobased acetaldehyde to crotonaldehyde, e) the crotonaldehyde is produced by converting acetaldehyde to crotonaldehyde and the acetaldehyde is produced from bioethylene, or any combination of a), b), c), d) and e).

A process for making sorbic acid from renewable materials is provided. The process comprises converting acetic acid to ketene; converting acetaldehyde to crotonaldehyde; reacting the ketene with the crotonaldehyde to produce a polyester; and converting the polyester to sorbic acid. Renewable materials are incorporated by one of the following methods: a) the acetic acid is produced by reacting methanol derived from renewable organic material with carbon monoxide, b) the acetic acid is a biobased acetic acid, c) the crotonaldehyde is a biobased crotonaldehyde, d) the crotonaldehyde is produced by converting a biobased acetaldehyde to crotonaldehyde, e) the crotonaldehyde is produced by converting acetaldehyde to crotonaldehyde and the acetaldehyde is produced from bioethylene, or any combination of a), b), c), d) and e).

A process for making sorbic acid from renewable materials is provided. The process comprises converting acetic acid to ketene; converting acetaldehyde to crotonaldehyde; reacting the ketene with the crotonaldehyde to produce a polyester; and converting the polyester to sorbic acid. Renewable materials are incorporated by one of the following methods: a) the acetic acid is produced by reacting methanol derived from renewable organic material with carbon monoxide, b) the acetic acid is a biobased acetic acid, c) the crotonaldehyde is a biobased crotonaldehyde, d) the crotonaldehyde is produced by converting a biobased acetaldehyde to crotonaldehyde, e) the crotonaldehyde is produced by converting acetaldehyde to crotonaldehyde and the acetaldehyde is produced from bioethylene, or any combination of a), b), c), d) and e).

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of iloprost of formula I through new intermediates, isolation of iloprost of formula I in solid form, as well as preparation of the 16(S)-iloprost and 16(R)-iloprost isomers of formulae (S)-I and (R)-I and isolation of iloprost of formula I and 16(S)-iloprost of formula (S)-I in solid, crystalline form.

##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of iloprost of formula I through new intermediates, isolation of iloprost of formula I in solid form, as well as preparation of the 16(S)-iloprost and 16(R)-iloprost isomers of formulae (S)-I and (R)-I and isolation of iloprost of formula I and 16(S)-iloprost of formula (S)-I in solid, crystalline form.

##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of iloprost of formula I through new intermediates, isolation of iloprost of formula I in solid form, as well as preparation of the 16(S)-iloprost and 16(R)-iloprost isomers of formulae (S)-I and (R)-I and isolation of iloprost of formula I and 16(S)-iloprost of formula (S)-I in solid, crystalline form.

##STR00001##