The present invention relates to the field of catalytic hydrogenation and, more particularly, to the use of Fe complexes with tridentate ligands, having one amino or imino coordinating group and two phosphino coordinating groups, in hydrogenation processes for the reduction of ketones or aldehydes, into the corresponding alcohol or diol, respectively.

The present invention relates to the field of catalytic hydrogenation and, more particularly, to the use of Fe complexes with tridentate ligands, having one amino or imino coordinating group and two phosphino coordinating groups, in hydrogenation processes for the reduction of ketones or aldehydes, into the corresponding alcohol or diol, respectively.

According to one aspect, a process of forming a diisocyanate compound from limonene is disclosed. The process includes performing an oxidation reaction to form a limonene-ketone from limonene having a ketone group at a first position. The process includes performing a conjugate addition reaction on the limonene-ketone to form a limonene-nitrile having a nitrile group bonded at a second position. The process also includes performing a reductive amination reaction on the limonene-nitrile to form a limonene-diamine by reducing the nitrile group to form a first amine group and converting the ketone group to a second amine group. The process further includes forming the diisocyanate compound by converting the first amine group of the limonene-diamine to a first isocyanate group and the second amine group of the limonene-diamine to a second isocyanate group.

According to one aspect, a process of forming a diisocyanate compound from limonene is disclosed. The process includes performing an oxidation reaction to form a limonene-ketone from limonene having a ketone group at a first position. The process includes performing a conjugate addition reaction on the limonene-ketone to form a limonene-nitrile having a nitrile group bonded at a second position. The process also includes performing a reductive amination reaction on the limonene-nitrile to form a limonene-diamine by reducing the nitrile group to form a first amine group and converting the ketone group to a second amine group. The process further includes forming the diisocyanate compound by converting the first amine group of the limonene-diamine to a first isocyanate group and the second amine group of the limonene-diamine to a second isocyanate group.

A method of reducing an aromatic ring or a cyclic, allylic ether in a compound includes preparing a reaction mixture including a compound including an aromatic moiety or a cyclic, allylic ether moiety, an alkali metal, and either ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, or a combination thereof, in an ether solvent; and reacting the reaction mixture at from ?20? C. to 30? C. for a time sufficient to reduce a double bond in the aromatic moiety to a single bond or to reduce the cyclic, allylic ether moiety.

A method of reducing an aromatic ring or a cyclic, allylic ether in a compound includes preparing a reaction mixture including a compound including an aromatic moiety or a cyclic, allylic ether moiety, an alkali metal, and either ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, or a combination thereof, in an ether solvent; and reacting the reaction mixture at from ?20? C. to 30? C. for a time sufficient to reduce a double bond in the aromatic moiety to a single bond or to reduce the cyclic, allylic ether moiety.

The present invention provides a method for preparing 2,2-bis(4-hydroxycyclohexyl)propane, comprising: hydrogenating a reactive solution containing 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane under a hydrogen atmosphere in a reactor with catalyst within a temperature range of 80-165 C. and a pressure range of 85-110 kg/cm.sup.2 to prepare the 2,2-bis(4-hydroxycyclohexyl)propane. The method of present invention has an advantage of high yield properties and achieves mass production easily, thereby enhancing the value of the industrial application.

The present invention provides a method for preparing 2,2-bis(4-hydroxycyclohexyl)propane, comprising: hydrogenating a reactive solution containing 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane under a hydrogen atmosphere in a reactor with catalyst within a temperature range of 80-165 C. and a pressure range of 85-110 kg/cm.sup.2 to prepare the 2,2-bis(4-hydroxycyclohexyl)propane. The method of present invention has an advantage of high yield properties and achieves mass production easily, thereby enhancing the value of the industrial application.

The present invention provides a process for purifying a monoterpene or sesquiterpene having a purity greater than about 98.5% (w/w). The process comprises the steps of derivatizing the monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) to produce a monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) derivative, separating the monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) derivative, and releasing the monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) from the derivative. Also encompassed by the scope of the present invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) having a purity greater than about 98.5% (w/w). The purified monoterpene can be used to treat a disease such as cancer. The present monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) may be administered alone, or may be co-administered with radiation or other therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapeutic agents.

The present invention provides a process for purifying a monoterpene or sesquiterpene having a purity greater than about 98.5% (w/w). The process comprises the steps of derivatizing the monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) to produce a monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) derivative, separating the monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) derivative, and releasing the monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) from the derivative. Also encompassed by the scope of the present invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) having a purity greater than about 98.5% (w/w). The purified monoterpene can be used to treat a disease such as cancer. The present monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) may be administered alone, or may be co-administered with radiation or other therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapeutic agents.