Methods and reagents for esterification of biological molecules including proteins, polypeptides and peptides. Diazo compounds of formula I: ##STR00001##
where R is hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl or an alkynyl, R.sub.A represents 1-5 substituents on the indicated phenyl ring and R.sub.M is an organic group, which includes a label, a cell penetrating group, a cell targeting group, or a reactive group or latent reactive group for reaction to bond to a label, a cell penetrating group, or a cell targeting group, among other organic groups are useful for esterification of biological molecules. Also provided are diazo compounds which are bifunctional and trifunctional coupling reagents as well as reagents for the synthesis of compounds of formula I.

Methods and reagents for esterification of biological molecules including proteins, polypeptides and peptides. Diazo compounds of formula I: ##STR00001##
where R is hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl or an alkynyl, R.sub.A represents 1-5 substituents on the indicated phenyl ring and R.sub.M is an organic group, which includes a label, a cell penetrating group, a cell targeting group, or a reactive group or latent reactive group for reaction to bond to a label, a cell penetrating group, or a cell targeting group, among other organic groups are useful for esterification of biological molecules. Also provided are diazo compounds which are bifunctional and trifunctional coupling reagents as well as reagents for the synthesis of compounds of formula I.

Provided is a method for preparing an enamide compound, which includes reacting an organic azide compound having α-hydrogen and an anhydride by addition of a ruthenium complex catalyst in the presence of an ionic liquid, and a ruthenium complex catalyst used herein.

Provided is a method for preparing an enamide compound, which includes reacting an organic azide compound having α-hydrogen and an anhydride by addition of a ruthenium complex catalyst in the presence of an ionic liquid, and a ruthenium complex catalyst used herein.

A method for manufacturing 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyric acid (HMTBA) from 2-hydroxy-4-methylthio-butyronitrile (HMTBN), where HMTBN is hydrolyzed into HMTBA in the presence of a mineral acid in an aqueous medium, the medium is neutralized by addition of a base, a first phase including at least HMTBA and salts and a second phase containing salts are separated, the method including the separation of the HMTBA from the salts of the first phase, by subjecting the latter to a chromatography.

A method for manufacturing 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyric acid (HMTBA) from 2-hydroxy-4-methylthio-butyronitrile (HMTBN), where HMTBN is hydrolyzed into HMTBA in the presence of a mineral acid in an aqueous medium, the medium is neutralized by addition of a base, a first phase including at least HMTBA and salts and a second phase containing salts are separated, the method including the separation of the HMTBA from the salts of the first phase, by subjecting the latter to a chromatography.

A method for manufacturing 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyric acid (HMTBA) from 2-hydroxy-4-methylthio-butyronitrile (HMTBN), where HMTBN is hydrolyzed into HMTBA in the presence of a mineral acid in an aqueous medium, the medium is neutralized by addition of a base, a first phase including at least HMTBA and salts and a second phase containing salts are separated, the method including the separation of the HMTBA from the salts of the first phase, by subjecting the latter to a chromatography.

A method is disclosed for preparing hydrazides from hydrazine and an acyl chloride which comprises the steps of (a) preparing a stirred substantially uniform slurry comprising hydrazine and an inert solvent at low temperature; and (b) adding an acyl chloride continuously to said slurry. The method avoids or limits production of undesired bis-hydrazide by-products. The method is used to prepare 3-methyl-3-mercaptobutanoic acid hydrazide, a molecule used to link calicheamicin to a monoclonal antibody.

A method is disclosed for preparing hydrazides from hydrazine and an acyl chloride which comprises the steps of (a) preparing a stirred substantially uniform slurry comprising hydrazine and an inert solvent at low temperature; and (b) adding an acyl chloride continuously to said slurry. The method avoids or limits production of undesired bis-hydrazide by-products. The method is used to prepare 3-methyl-3-mercaptobutanoic acid hydrazide, a molecule used to link calicheamicin to a monoclonal antibody.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing methionine capable of achieving an improvement in ammonia removal efficiency. The manufacturing method of the present invention comprises a removal step of supplying a liquid containing a methionine salt, which is obtained by reacting 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid, or a compound obtained by reacting 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid, with carbon dioxide and ammonia to obtain a liquid containing 5-(2-methylmercaptoethyl)hydantoin and then hydrolyzing the 5-(2-methylmercaptoethyl)hydantoin, to a diffusion tower from an upper portion thereof while supplying a stripping gas to the diffusion tower from a lower portion thereof to remove ammonia contained in the liquid through stripping, and the stripping gas contains a process gas generated in a process of manufacturing methionine.