In a method for producing an aliphatic carboxylic acid ester by reacting an aliphatic carboxylic acid having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms and an olefin having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms in a gas phase by use of a solid acid catalyst, a solid acid catalyst in which a heteropolyacid or a salt thereof is supported on a silica carrier obtainable by kneading fumed silica obtained by a combustion method, silica gel obtained by a gel method, and colloidal silica obtained by a sol-gel method or a water glass method, molding the resulting kneaded product, and calcining the resulting molded body, is used.

A method for producing the silica carrier which includes kneading fumed silica obtained by a combustion method, silica gel obtained by a gel method, and colloidal silica obtained by a sol-gel method or a water glass method, molding the resulting kneaded product, and calcining the resulting molded body. The silica carrier has, in the measurement of pore size distribution, mesopores with a pore size of 2 to 50 nm and macropores with a pore size of more than 50 nm and 1,000 nm or less.

A method for producing the silica carrier which includes kneading fumed silica obtained by a combustion method, silica gel obtained by a gel method, and colloidal silica obtained by a sol-gel method or a water glass method, molding the resulting kneaded product, and calcining the resulting molded body. The silica carrier has, in the measurement of pore size distribution, mesopores with a pore size of 2 to 50 nm and macropores with a pore size of more than 50 nm and 1,000 nm or less.

Provided is a process for recovery of a functionalized compound reaction product comprising contacting (i) an oxidizing electrophile comprising a main group element, and (ii) a compound comprising at least one CH bond, in an acidic medium to form a reaction milieu comprising a functionalized compound reaction product, contacting the reaction milieu with a water-immiscible organic solvent, separating the water-immiscible organic solvent from the reaction milieu, wherein the functionalized compound reaction product is dissolved in the water-immiscible organic solvent, and separating the functionalized compound reaction product and the water-immiscible organic solvent. The water-immiscible extraction solvent can be the same compound as the compound comprising as least one CH bond, for example, propane or n-butane.

Provided is a process for recovery of a functionalized compound reaction product comprising contacting (i) an oxidizing electrophile comprising a main group element, and (ii) a compound comprising at least one CH bond, in an acidic medium to form a reaction milieu comprising a functionalized compound reaction product, contacting the reaction milieu with a water-immiscible organic solvent, separating the water-immiscible organic solvent from the reaction milieu, wherein the functionalized compound reaction product is dissolved in the water-immiscible organic solvent, and separating the functionalized compound reaction product and the water-immiscible organic solvent. The water-immiscible extraction solvent can be the same compound as the compound comprising as least one CH bond, for example, propane or n-butane.

It is provided a process for the preparation of bimatoprost, which comprises: a) reacting a compound of formula (III) with ethylamine in the presence of a suitable solvent; and b) deprotecting compound obtained in step a) to obtain bimatoprost, wherein R.sup.1 is selected from (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkyl, (C.sub.1C.sub.16)haloalkyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)alkenyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)haloalkenyl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkoxy(C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkyl, aryl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkylaryl, allyl, (CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.nCH.sub.3 wherein n=1, 2, 3 or 4, and CH(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.2; R.sub.2 is selected from H, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkyl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)haloalkyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)alkenyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)haloalkenyl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkoxy(CrC.sub.16)alkyl, aryl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkylaryl, allyl; or, alternatively, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 taken together are selected from CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2, OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2, and OCHCH. There are also provided intermediates useful in such preparation process. ##STR00001##

It is provided a process for the preparation of bimatoprost, which comprises: a) reacting a compound of formula (III) with ethylamine in the presence of a suitable solvent; and b) deprotecting compound obtained in step a) to obtain bimatoprost, wherein R.sup.1 is selected from (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkyl, (C.sub.1C.sub.16)haloalkyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)alkenyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)haloalkenyl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkoxy(C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkyl, aryl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkylaryl, allyl, (CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.nCH.sub.3 wherein n=1, 2, 3 or 4, and CH(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.2; R.sub.2 is selected from H, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkyl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)haloalkyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)alkenyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)haloalkenyl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkoxy(CrC.sub.16)alkyl, aryl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkylaryl, allyl; or, alternatively, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 taken together are selected from CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2, OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2, and OCHCH. There are also provided intermediates useful in such preparation process. ##STR00001##

It is provided a process for the preparation of bimatoprost, which comprises: a) reacting a compound of formula (III) with ethylamine in the presence of a suitable solvent; and b) deprotecting compound obtained in step a) to obtain bimatoprost, wherein R.sup.1 is selected from (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkyl, (C.sub.1C.sub.16)haloalkyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)alkenyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)haloalkenyl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkoxy(C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkyl, aryl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkylaryl, allyl, (CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.nCH.sub.3 wherein n=1, 2, 3 or 4, and CH(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.2; R.sub.2 is selected from H, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkyl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)haloalkyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)alkenyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)haloalkenyl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkoxy(CrC.sub.16)alkyl, aryl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkylaryl, allyl; or, alternatively, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 taken together are selected from CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2, OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2, and OCHCH. There are also provided intermediates useful in such preparation process.

##STR00001##

It is provided a process for the preparation of bimatoprost, which comprises: a) reacting a compound of formula (III) with ethylamine in the presence of a suitable solvent; and b) deprotecting compound obtained in step a) to obtain bimatoprost, wherein R.sup.1 is selected from (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkyl, (C.sub.1C.sub.16)haloalkyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)alkenyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)haloalkenyl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkoxy(C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkyl, aryl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkylaryl, allyl, (CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.nCH.sub.3 wherein n=1, 2, 3 or 4, and CH(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.2; R.sub.2 is selected from H, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkyl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)haloalkyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)alkenyl, (C.sub.2-C.sub.16)haloalkenyl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkoxy(CrC.sub.16)alkyl, aryl, (C.sub.1-C.sub.16)alkylaryl, allyl; or, alternatively, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 taken together are selected from CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2, OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2, and OCHCH. There are also provided intermediates useful in such preparation process.

##STR00001##

Process for methoxycarbonylation with formic acid and methanol.