A one-step process for hydroformylation of olefins can include iron-catalyzed hydroformylation of olefins. The process can result in the conversion of olefin in the range of 40 to 99%. A reaction mixture includes iron precursor, ligand, substrate and solvent. The reaction mixture can be pressurized with syngas (CO/H.sub.2) under constant stirring to obtain a desired aldehyde compound. The ligand can be a monodentate ligand of a phosphines or a phosphite, and the iron precursor can be [HFe(CO).sub.4].sup..

A one-step process for hydroformylation of olefins can include iron-catalyzed hydroformylation of olefins. The process can result in the conversion of olefin in the range of 40 to 99%. A reaction mixture includes iron precursor, ligand, substrate and solvent. The reaction mixture can be pressurized with syngas (CO/H.sub.2) under constant stirring to obtain a desired aldehyde compound. The ligand can be a monodentate ligand of a phosphines or a phosphite, and the iron precursor can be [HFe(CO).sub.4].sup..

The regio-selective functionalization of a dialkyl benzene compound ##STR00001##
wherein the ratio of the compound functionalized at position (a) to the compound functionalized at the position (b) is at least 70:30, more particularly at least 80:20, still more particularly at least 85:15, and still more particularly at least 90:10, characterised in that the substituent R is an isobutyl group.

The regio-selective functionalization of a dialkyl benzene compound ##STR00001##
wherein the ratio of the compound functionalized at position (a) to the compound functionalized at the position (b) is at least 70:30, more particularly at least 80:20, still more particularly at least 85:15, and still more particularly at least 90:10, characterised in that the substituent R is an isobutyl group.

Disclosed are a composition and a perfume composition for inhibiting growth of breast cancer stem cells containing phenylacetaldehyde or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active (effective) ingredient, and a pharmaceutical composition, a food composition or the like for inhibiting metastasis of breast cancer, or treating or preventing breast cancer, including the composition. The phenylacetaldehyde inhibits growth of breast cancer cells and formation of breast cancer stem cells. In addition, the phenylacetaldehyde inhibits expression of self-renewal genes such as Nanog, Sox2, Oct4, and CD44 known to be specifically expressed in breast cancer stem cells, inhibits production of IL-6 known to be involved in formation of mammospheres of breast cancer stem cells, and inhibits STATS signaling pathways. Accordingly, the compound inhibits growth of breast cancer stem cells and is useful for the treatment of breast cancer.

A one-step process for hydroformylation of olefins can include iron-catalyzed hydroformylation of olefins. The process can result in the conversion of olefin in the range of 40 to 99%. A reaction mixture includes iron precursor, ligand, substrate and solvent. The reaction mixture can be pressurized with syngas (CO/H.sub.2) under constant stirring to obtain a desired aldehyde compound. The ligand can be a monodentate ligand of a phosphines or a phosphite, and the iron precursor can be [HFe(CO).sub.4].sup..

A one-step process for hydroformylation of olefins can include iron-catalyzed hydroformylation of olefins. The process can result in the conversion of olefin in the range of 40 to 99%. A reaction mixture includes iron precursor, ligand, substrate and solvent. The reaction mixture can be pressurized with syngas (CO/H.sub.2) under constant stirring to obtain a desired aldehyde compound. The ligand can be a monodentate ligand of a phosphines or a phosphite, and the iron precursor can be [HFe(CO).sub.4].sup..

Disclosed is a two-step process to make a dialdehyde. In the process a diepoxide is first hydrolyzed with an alcohol solvent to an intermediate which is then subjected to a double-Pinacol rearrangement to obtain a dialdehyde. The dialdehydes have utility as chemical intermediates, and particular utility in processes to make enol ether compounds which can be used in applications as plasticizers, diluents, wetting agents, coalescing aids and as intermediates in chemical processes.

Disclosed is a two-step process to make a dialdehyde. In the process a diepoxide is first hydrolyzed with an alcohol solvent to an intermediate which is then subjected to a double-Pinacol rearrangement to obtain a dialdehyde. The dialdehydes have utility as chemical intermediates, and particular utility in processes to make enol ether compounds which can be used in applications as plasticizers, diluents, wetting agents, coalescing aids and as intermediates in chemical processes.

We have discovered that a di-epoxide can be converted to a dialdehyde using an amorphous silica-alumina catalyst. The method comprises contacting a di-epoxide mixed in an organic solvent with a silica-alumina catalyst to form a solvent and dialdehyde reaction product mixture and separating said dialdehyde from said reaction mixture. The dialdehydes have utility as chemical intermediates, and particular utility in processes to make enol ether compounds which can be used in applications as plasticizers, diluents, wetting agents, coalescing aids and as intermediates in chemical processes.