This invention describes the synthesis and pharmacologic activity of n=2, n=3, n=4, n=5, and n=6 D-lactic acid oligomers. D-lactic acid dimer has pharmacologic activity and sequesters L-lactate, and the other D-lactic acid oligomers have no activity in vitro, but may have pharmacologic activity in vivo as prodrugs of D-lactic acid dimer.

This invention describes the synthesis and pharmacologic activity of n=2, n=3, n=4, n=5, and n=6 D-lactic acid oligomers. D-lactic acid dimer has pharmacologic activity and sequesters L-lactate, and the other D-lactic acid oligomers have no activity in vitro, but may have pharmacologic activity in vivo as prodrugs of D-lactic acid dimer.

This invention describes the synthesis and pharmacologic activity of n=2, n=3, n=4, n=5, and n=6 D-lactic acid oligomers. D-lactic acid dimer has pharmacologic activity and sequesters L-lactate, and the other D-lactic acid oligomers have no activity in vitro, but may have pharmacologic activity in vivo as prodrugs of D-lactic acid dimer.

A process for producing alkyl R-lactate from an initial compound comprising substructure (I)

##STR00001##

is provided. The process involves producing an intermediate comprising R,R- and S,S-lactide from the initial compound, wherein the initial compound is subjected to stereoisomerisation conditions; and reacting at least a portion of the intermediate with an alkyl alcohol to produce a product comprising alkyl R-lactate, wherein alkyl R-lactate is produced in the presence of an enzyme. Also provided are processes for the production of R-lactic acid, oligomeric R-lactic acid, R,R-lactide, poly-R-lactic acid and stereocomplex lactic acid.

A process for producing alkyl R-lactate from an initial compound comprising substructure (I)

##STR00001##

is provided. The process involves producing an intermediate comprising R,R- and S,S-lactide from the initial compound, wherein the initial compound is subjected to stereoisomerisation conditions; and reacting at least a portion of the intermediate with an alkyl alcohol to produce a product comprising alkyl R-lactate, wherein alkyl R-lactate is produced in the presence of an enzyme. Also provided are processes for the production of R-lactic acid, oligomeric R-lactic acid, R,R-lactide, poly-R-lactic acid and stereocomplex lactic acid.

Provided herein are processes for preparing estolides and estolide base oils from fatty acid reactants utilizing catalysts. Further provided herein are processes for preparing carboxylic esters from at least one carboxylic acid reactant and at least one olefin.

A method is provided for producing a compound, including a step of mixing a compound (1) having one or two leaving groups, a compound (2) having one or two boron atom-containing leaving groups, an organic base (P), and at least one selected from a phase transfer catalyst and an organic base (Q) larger in the number of carbon atoms than the above-mentioned organic base in the presence of a transition metal catalyst. The method thereby performs a coupling reaction between the above-mentioned compound (1) and the above-mentioned compound (2).

A method is provided for producing a compound, including a step of mixing a compound (1) having one or two leaving groups, a compound (2) having one or two boron atom-containing leaving groups, an organic base (P), and at least one selected from a phase transfer catalyst and an organic base (Q) larger in the number of carbon atoms than the above-mentioned organic base in the presence of a transition metal catalyst. The method thereby performs a coupling reaction between the above-mentioned compound (1) and the above-mentioned compound (2).

The invention provides a polycondensation catalyst for producing polyester by an esterification reaction or a transesterification reaction between a dicarboxylic acid or ester-forming derivative thereof and a glycol, wherein the polycondensation catalyst comprises particles of a solid base having on their surfaces either a coat layer of titanic acid in an amount of from 0.1 to 50 parts by weight in terms of TiO.sub.2 per 100 parts by weight of the solid base, or an inner coat layer of an oxide of at least one element selected from silicon, aluminum and zirconium or a composite oxide of at least two elements selected from silicon, aluminum and zirconium in an amount of from 1 to 20 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the solid base and an outer coat layer of titanic acid in an amount of from 0.1 to 50 parts by weight in terms of TiO.sub.2 per 100 parts by weight of the solid base.

The invention relates to compositions of ,-branched alkane carboxylic acids glycidyl esters with a define isomeric composition where the sum of the concentration of the blocked and of the highly branched isomers is at least 50%, preferably above 60% and most preferably above 75% on total composition.