The present invention relates to a novel production method of a novel prostaglandin derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof useful as a medicament, and an intermediate therefor. According to the present invention, a production method of a novel prostaglandin derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof including a conversion step from a compound represented by the following formula 3 to a compound represented by the formula 1 can be provided: ##STR00001##
wherein each symbol is as defined in the DESCRIPTION.

Processes are disclosed for the synthesis of an α-amino acid or α-amino acid derivative, from a starting compound or substrate having a carbonyl functional group (C═O), with hydroxy-substituted carbon atoms at alpha (α) and beta (β) positions, relative to the carbonyl functional group. According a particular embodiment, an α-, β-dihydroxy carboxylic acid or carboxylate is dehydrated to form a dicarbonyl intermediate by transformation of the α-hydroxy group to a second carbonyl group (adjacent a carbonyl group of the starting compound) and removal of the β-hydroxy group. The dicarbonyl intermediate is optionally cracked to form a second, in this case cracked, dicarbonyl intermediate having fewer carbon atoms relative to the dicarbonyl intermediate but preserving the first and second carbonyl groups. Either or both of the dicarbonyl intermediate and the cracked dicarbonyl intermediate may be aminated to convert the second carbonyl group to an amino (—NH.sub.2) group, for producing the corresponding α-amino acid(s).

Processes are disclosed for the synthesis of an α-amino acid or α-amino acid derivative, from a starting compound or substrate having a carbonyl functional group (C═O), with hydroxy-substituted carbon atoms at alpha (α) and beta (β) positions, relative to the carbonyl functional group. According a particular embodiment, an α-, β-dihydroxy carboxylic acid or carboxylate is dehydrated to form a dicarbonyl intermediate by transformation of the α-hydroxy group to a second carbonyl group (adjacent a carbonyl group of the starting compound) and removal of the β-hydroxy group. The dicarbonyl intermediate is optionally cracked to form a second, in this case cracked, dicarbonyl intermediate having fewer carbon atoms relative to the dicarbonyl intermediate but preserving the first and second carbonyl groups. Either or both of the dicarbonyl intermediate and the cracked dicarbonyl intermediate may be aminated to convert the second carbonyl group to an amino (—NH.sub.2) group, for producing the corresponding α-amino acid(s).

The present invention relates to the manufacturing of a process of alkyl 2-acetyl-5,9,13-trimethyltetradeca-4,8,12-trienoates and alkyl 2-acetyl-9,13-di-methyl-5-methylenetetradeca-8,12-dienoate as well as 6,10,14-trimethylpenta-deca-5,9,13-trien-2-one and 10,14-dimethyl-6-methylenepentadeca-9,13-dien-2-5 one and 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-one.

The present invention relates to the manufacturing of a process of alkyl 2-acetyl-5,9,13-trimethyltetradeca-4,8,12-trienoates and alkyl 2-acetyl-9,13-di-methyl-5-methylenetetradeca-8,12-dienoate as well as 6,10,14-trimethylpenta-deca-5,9,13-trien-2-one and 10,14-dimethyl-6-methylenepentadeca-9,13-dien-2-5 one and 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-one.

Processes are disclosed for the synthesis of an α-amino acid or α-amino acid derivative, from a starting compound or substrate having a carbonyl functional group (C═O), with hydroxy-substituted carbon atoms at alpha (α) and beta (β) positions, relative to the carbonyl functional group. According a particular embodiment, an α-, β-dihydroxy carboxylic acid or carboxylate is dehydrated to form a dicarbonyl intermediate by transformation of the α-hydroxy group to a second carbonyl group (adjacent a carbonyl group of the starting compound) and removal of the β-hydroxy group. The dicarbonyl intermediate is optionally cracked to form a second, in this case cracked, dicarbonyl intermediate having fewer carbon atoms relative to the dicarbonyl intermediate but preserving the first and second carbonyl groups. Either or both of the dicarbonyl intermediate and the cracked dicarbonyl intermediate may be aminated to convert the second carbonyl group to an amino (—NH.sub.2) group, for producing the corresponding α-amino acid(s).

The invention includes procedures for stereoselective β-acylation of carboxylic acids having a β-carbon atom. For example, stereoselective acylation procedures include the following reactions: (I) ##STR00001##

The invention includes procedures for stereoselective β-acylation of carboxylic acids having a β-carbon atom. For example, stereoselective acylation procedures include the following reactions: (I) ##STR00001##

It is provided a process of converting syngas resulting from the gasification of a carbonaceous material into acetic acid and acrylic acid comprising converting the syngas into methanol and separating the methanol into a first and second stream, carbonylation of the first stream of methanol producing methyl acetate, hydrolyzing the methyl acetate to obtain acetic acid, oxidizing the second stream of the methanol into formaldehyde in a gas phase reaction, and reacting by aldol condensation the formaldehyde and acetic acid to produce acrylic acid. Particularly, the first stream of methanol is dehydrated to produce dimethyl ether (DME) and the DME is further contacted with syngas under an iodide-free environment to produce the methyl acetate by carbonylation, and subsequently acetic acid using a reactive distillation column.

It is provided a process of converting syngas resulting from the gasification of a carbonaceous material into acetic acid and acrylic acid comprising converting the syngas into methanol and separating the methanol into a first and second stream, carbonylation of the first stream of methanol producing methyl acetate, hydrolyzing the methyl acetate to obtain acetic acid, oxidizing the second stream of the methanol into formaldehyde in a gas phase reaction, and reacting by aldol condensation the formaldehyde and acetic acid to produce acrylic acid. Particularly, the first stream of methanol is dehydrated to produce dimethyl ether (DME) and the DME is further contacted with syngas under an iodide-free environment to produce the methyl acetate by carbonylation, and subsequently acetic acid using a reactive distillation column.