A composition derived from the acid treatment of ashes obtained after heat treatment of selected plants or plant material is provided. The selected plants accumulate metal from the platinum group (platinoids). The compositions can be used to produce catalysts for performing various organic synthesis reactions.

The present invention pertains to a process for preparing 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid (HMB) or a salt thereof, the method comprising (a) reacting isobutylene oxide with cyanide in order to obtain 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyronitrile, and (b) hydrolyzing the 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyronitrile obtained in step (a) in order to obtain HMB, wherein hydrolysis step (b) is performed using either at least one nitrilase enzyme or, alternatively, using a combination of enzymes, said combination comprising at least one nitrile hydratase and at least one amidase.

The present invention pertains to a process for preparing 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid (HMB) or a salt thereof, the method comprising (a) reacting isobutylene oxide with cyanide in order to obtain 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyronitrile, and (b) hydrolyzing the 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyronitrile obtained in step (a) in order to obtain HMB, wherein hydrolysis step (b) is performed using either at least one nitrilase enzyme or, alternatively, using a combination of enzymes, said combination comprising at least one nitrile hydratase and at least one amidase.

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 process for purifying ethylene cyanohydrin involves incubating an industrial grade ethylene cyanohydrin product with at least one titanium(IV)alkoxide. Ethylene cyanohydrin products with purities of >99% contain less than 0.05% of ethylene glycol (EG), and/or contain a water content of less than 1000 ppm.

A process for purifying ethylene cyanohydrin involves incubating an industrial grade ethylene cyanohydrin product with at least one titanium(IV)alkoxide. Ethylene cyanohydrin products with purities of >99% contain less than 0.05% of ethylene glycol (EG), and/or contain a water content of less than 1000 ppm.

A process purifies ethylene cyanohydrin by incubating an industrial grade ethylene cyanohydrin product with at least one titanium(IV)alkoxide. Ethylene cyanohydrin products have purities >99% and have less than 0.05% of ethylene glycol (EG), and/or have a water content of less than 1000 ppm.

A process purifies ethylene cyanohydrin by incubating an industrial grade ethylene cyanohydrin product with at least one titanium(IV)alkoxide. Ethylene cyanohydrin products have purities >99% and have less than 0.05% of ethylene glycol (EG), and/or have a water content of less than 1000 ppm.