The present invention relates to bendamustine derivatives and related compounds of formula (VII), (VIII) and (IX), and medical uses thereof in particular in cancer therapy.

##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a novel pseudoceramide compound, and more particularly, to a novel pseudoceramide compound represented by formula 1 and having skin moisturizing and barrier function characteristics, and a skin topical composition comprising the pseudoceramide compound:

##STR00001##

wherein R.sub.1 represents a linear C12-C18 alkyl group and has at least one double bond, and R.sub.2 represents a linear C12-C22 alkyl group and has a double bond.

The present invention relates to a novel pseudoceramide compound, and more particularly, to a novel pseudoceramide compound represented by formula 1 and having skin moisturizing and barrier function characteristics, and a skin topical composition comprising the pseudoceramide compound:

##STR00001##

wherein R.sub.1 represents a linear C12-C18 alkyl group and has at least one double bond, and R.sub.2 represents a linear C12-C22 alkyl group and has a double bond.

A method for producing an amide includes: subjecting carboxylic acids to dehydration condensation or causing a reaction between a carboxylic acid and a haloformic acid ester; and subsequently causing a reaction with a first base and a reaction with an amine to obtain an amide, wherein the reaction with a first base and/or the reaction with an amine is performed by adding an acid thereto.

A method for producing an amide includes: subjecting carboxylic acids to dehydration condensation or causing a reaction between a carboxylic acid and a haloformic acid ester; and subsequently causing a reaction with a first base and a reaction with an amine to obtain an amide, wherein the reaction with a first base and/or the reaction with an amine is performed by adding an acid thereto.

The invention relates to a continuous method for producing a tenside, containing a compound of the formula (1), wherein R.sup.2 is a fatty acid alkyl residue and R.sup.1 is a linear or branched C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 hydrocarbon residue, and x is in the range from 1 to 15 by conversion of fatty acid alkyl esters or fatty acid triglycerides having an N-n-alkylized polyhydroxy compound in the presence of an alkali catalyst or a catalyst selected from hydroxides or alcoholates of the 2nd and 4th secondary group of the periodic system at a temperature in the range from 40 to 300° C.

##STR00001##

The invention relates to a continuous method for producing a tenside, containing a compound of the formula (1), wherein R.sup.2 is a fatty acid alkyl residue and R.sup.1 is a linear or branched C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 hydrocarbon residue, and x is in the range from 1 to 15 by conversion of fatty acid alkyl esters or fatty acid triglycerides having an N-n-alkylized polyhydroxy compound in the presence of an alkali catalyst or a catalyst selected from hydroxides or alcoholates of the 2nd and 4th secondary group of the periodic system at a temperature in the range from 40 to 300° C.

##STR00001##

The invention relates to a continuous method for producing a tenside, containing a compound of the formula (1), wherein R.sup.2 is a fatty acid alkyl residue and R.sup.1 is a linear or branched C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 hydrocarbon residue, and x is in the range from 1 to 15 by conversion of fatty acid alkyl esters or fatty acid triglycerides having an N-n-alkylized polyhydroxy compound in the presence of an alkali catalyst or a catalyst selected from hydroxides or alcoholates of the 2nd and 4th secondary group of the periodic system at a temperature in the range from 40 to 300° C.

##STR00001##

The present invention generally relates to a process for selective and direct activation and subsequent amidation of aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids to afford an amide R.sup.3CONR.sup.1R.sup.2. That the process is capable of delivering gaseous or low-boiling point amines provides a major advantage over existing methodologies, which involves an intermediate of triacyloxyborane-amine complex [(R.sup.3CO.sub.2).sub.3—B—NHR.sup.1R.sup.2]. This procedure readily produces primary, secondary, and tertiary amides, and is compatible with the chirality of the acid and amine involved. The preparation of known pharmaceutical molecules and intermediates has also been demonstrated.

The present invention generally relates to a process for selective and direct activation and subsequent amidation of aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids to afford an amide R.sup.3CONR.sup.1R.sup.2. That the process is capable of delivering gaseous or low-boiling point amines provides a major advantage over existing methodologies, which involves an intermediate of triacyloxyborane-amine complex [(R.sup.3CO.sub.2).sub.3—B—NHR.sup.1R.sup.2]. This procedure readily produces primary, secondary, and tertiary amides, and is compatible with the chirality of the acid and amine involved. The preparation of known pharmaceutical molecules and intermediates has also been demonstrated.