The present invention relates to a process for carbonylating allyl alcohols at low temperature, low pressure and/or low catalyst loading. In an alternative embodiment, an acylation product of the allyl alcohol is used for the carbonylation. The present invention likewise relates to the preparation of conversion products of these carbonylation products and specifically of (−)-ambrox.

The present invention relates to a process for carbonylating allyl alcohols at low temperature, low pressure and/or low catalyst loading. In an alternative embodiment, an acylation product of the allyl alcohol is used for the carbonylation. The present invention likewise relates to the preparation of conversion products of these carbonylation products and specifically of (−)-ambrox.

Provided herein are methods of preparation of I by reacting i with acid where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently a leaving group. Intermediates to make i are also claimed. ##STR00001##

Provided herein are methods of preparation of I by reacting i with acid where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently a leaving group. Intermediates to make i are also claimed. ##STR00001##

The problem of the present invention is to provide a useful prodrug compound of a naphthofuran compound. The present invention relates to a compound represented by the formula (IA): ##STR00001##
[wherein each symbol is as described in the DESCRIPTION] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The problem of the present invention is to provide a useful prodrug compound of a naphthofuran compound. The present invention relates to a compound represented by the formula (IA): ##STR00001##
[wherein each symbol is as described in the DESCRIPTION] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The invention provides an improved method of isolating the 3-(E)-isomer of an unsaturated carboxylic acid from a mixture of corresponding (E/Z)isomers. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved method for the biocatalytic preparation of (3E,7E)-homofarnesylic acid; as well as a novel biocatalytic method for the improved preparation of homofarnesol, in particular of (3E,7E)-homofarnesol and homofarnesol preparations having an increased content of (3E,7E)-homofarnesol. The present invention also relates to methods of preparing(−)-ambroxby applying (3E,7E)-homofarnesylic acid or (3E,7E)-homofarnesol as obtained according to the invention as starting material.

A method for producing slcareolide comprising the following steps: (a) providing sclareol as starter material; (b) contacting the starter material sclareol with ozone in air or oxygen as the sole oxidant in an acidic medium.

A method for producing slcareolide comprising the following steps: (a) providing sclareol as starter material; (b) contacting the starter material sclareol with ozone in air or oxygen as the sole oxidant in an acidic medium.

There is provided SHC/HAC derivatives, amino acid sequences comprising the SHC/HAC derivatives, nucleotide sequences encoding the SHC/HAC derivatives, vectors comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the SHC/HAC derivatives, recombinant host cells comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the SHC/HAC derivatives and applications of the recombinant host cells comprising either SHC/HAC derivatives or WT SHC/HAC enzymes in methods to prepare (−)-Ambrox and SHC/HAC enzymes in methods to prepare (−)-Ambrox.