The invention relates to the preparation of gamma amino acids of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, and to intermediates used for their preparation. (formula I) wherein R.sup.1 is selected from an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group and a cycloalkyl group, each of which may be optionally substituted and * denotes a chiral center. In particular, the present invention provides an efficient synthesis of (S)-pregabalin which is suitable for carrying out on an industrial scale. ##STR00001##

The invention relates to the preparation of gamma amino acids of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, and to intermediates used for their preparation. (formula I) wherein R.sup.1 is selected from an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group and a cycloalkyl group, each of which may be optionally substituted and * denotes a chiral center. In particular, the present invention provides an efficient synthesis of (S)-pregabalin which is suitable for carrying out on an industrial scale. ##STR00001##

The invention relates to the preparation of gamma amino acids of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, and to intermediates used for their preparation. (formula I) wherein R.sup.1 is selected from an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group and a cycloalkyl group, each of which may be optionally substituted and * denotes a chiral center. In particular, the present invention provides an efficient synthesis of (S)-pregabalin which is suitable for carrying out on an industrial scale. ##STR00001##

An environmentally friendly biocide is disclosed for managing microbe levels. The environmentally friendly biocide includes a quaternized amine of the structure:

##STR00001##

where X is chlorine, R.sub.1 is a C.sub.16-C.sub.18 group, R.sub.2 is a C.sub.16-C.sub.18 group, and n is within the range of 8 to 50. The environmentally friendly biocide optionally includes a solvent component. In one aspect, a method is disclosed for treating an oilfield system with an environmentally friendly biocide, where the method includes the steps of obtaining the environmentally friendly biocide and contacting the oilfield system with it. In yet another aspect, a method is disclosed for managing microbe levels in an oilfield system. The method involves obtaining an environmentally friendly biocide, introducing a first treatment of the environmentally friendly biocide into the oilfield system, and introducing a second treatment of the environmentally friendly biocide into the oilfield system.

An environmentally friendly biocide is disclosed for managing microbe levels. The environmentally friendly biocide includes a quaternized amine of the structure:

##STR00001##

where X is chlorine, R.sub.1 is a C.sub.16-C.sub.18 group, R.sub.2 is a C.sub.16-C.sub.18 group, and n is within the range of 8 to 50. The environmentally friendly biocide optionally includes a solvent component. In one aspect, a method is disclosed for treating an oilfield system with an environmentally friendly biocide, where the method includes the steps of obtaining the environmentally friendly biocide and contacting the oilfield system with it. In yet another aspect, a method is disclosed for managing microbe levels in an oilfield system. The method involves obtaining an environmentally friendly biocide, introducing a first treatment of the environmentally friendly biocide into the oilfield system, and introducing a second treatment of the environmentally friendly biocide into the oilfield system.

Stereoselective and regioselective synthesis of compounds via nucleophilic ring opening reactions of aziridinium ions for use in stereoselective and regioselective synthesis of therapeutic and diagnostic compounds.

There is disclosed an improved process for the production of L-carnitine, comprising the steps of: (a) reacting(S)-epichlorohydrin with trimethylamine hydrochloride in an organic solvent to yield L-3-chloro-2-hydroxylpropyl trimethylammonium chloride; (b) reacting the L-3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethylammonium chloride of step (a) with a source of cyanide to yield L-carnitinenitrile chloride; and (c) converting the L-carnitinenitrile chloride of step (b) to L-carnitine.

There is disclosed an improved process for the production of L-carnitine, comprising the steps of: (a) reacting(S)-epichlorohydrin with trimethylamine hydrochloride in an organic solvent to yield L-3-chloro-2-hydroxylpropyl trimethylammonium chloride; (b) reacting the L-3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethylammonium chloride of step (a) with a source of cyanide to yield L-carnitinenitrile chloride; and (c) converting the L-carnitinenitrile chloride of step (b) to L-carnitine.

A blue light blocking compound and a use thereof, a blue light blocking composition and a use thereof, and a method for preparing a blue light blocking compound are provided. The blue light blocking compound is represented by the following formula 1. In the formula 1, R.sub.1 and R.sub.8 are each independently H, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, halogen, N(R.sup.1a).sub.2, OR.sup.1b, SR.sup.1c, SO.sub.2R.sup.1d, COR.sup.1e, NO.sub.2, CN, SOR.sup.1h, a five-membered heterocycle, a six-membered heterocycle, or a fused ring structure formed by connecting R.sub.1 and R.sub.8.

##STR00001##

A blue light blocking compound and a use thereof, a blue light blocking composition and a use thereof, and a method for preparing a blue light blocking compound are provided. The blue light blocking compound is represented by the following formula 1. In the formula 1, R.sub.1 and R.sub.8 are each independently H, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, halogen, N(R.sup.1a).sub.2, OR.sup.1b, SR.sup.1c, SO.sub.2R.sup.1d, COR.sup.1e, NO.sub.2, CN, SOR.sup.1h, a five-membered heterocycle, a six-membered heterocycle, or a fused ring structure formed by connecting R.sub.1 and R.sub.8.

##STR00001##