The present invention relates to antiviral 1,2,4-trioxane compounds and compositions comprising the same that are effective inhibitors of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication, and are thus useful to treat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such antiviral compounds and antiviral compositions, and methods of using these antiviral compounds, antiviral compositions and pharmaceutical compositions in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19.

A process for producing a cyclic acetal is disclosed. According to the process, a formaldehyde source is combined with an aprotic compound and contacted with a heterogeneous catalyst which causes the formaldehyde source to convert into a cyclic acetal such as trioxane. The catalyst, for instance, may comprise a solid catalyst such as an ion exchange resin. In one embodiment, the process is used for converting anhydrous formaldehyde gas to trioxane. The anhydrous formaldehyde gas may be produced form an aqueous formaldehyde solution by an extractive distillation. The aprotic compound and the formaldehyde solution may be extracted from the reaction product and recycled into the process.

A process for producing a cyclic acetal is disclosed. According to the process, a formaldehyde source is combined with an aprotic compound and contacted with a heterogeneous catalyst which causes the formaldehyde source to convert into a cyclic acetal such as trioxane. The catalyst, for instance, may comprise a solid catalyst such as an ion exchange resin. In one embodiment, the process is used for converting anhydrous formaldehyde gas to trioxane. The anhydrous formaldehyde gas may be produced form an aqueous formaldehyde solution by an extractive distillation. The aprotic compound and the formaldehyde solution may be extracted from the reaction product and recycled into the process.

The present invention relates to a process for energy recovery in a process for the preparation of 1,3,5-trioxane.

The present invention relates to a process for energy recovery in a process for the preparation of 1,3,5-trioxane.

A process for producing a cyclic acetal is disclosed. According to the process, a formaldehyde source is combined with an aprotic compound and contacted with a heterogeneous catalyst which causes the formaldehyde source to convert into a cyclic acetal such as trioxane. The catalyst, for instance, may comprise a solid catalyst such as an ion exchange resin. In one embodiment, the process is used for converting anhydrous formaldehyde gas to trioxane. The anhydrous formaldehyde gas may be produced form an aqueous formaldehyde solution by an extractive distillation. The aprotic compound and the formaldehyde solution may be extracted from the reaction product and recycled into the process.

A process for producing a cyclic acetal is disclosed. According to the process, a formaldehyde source is combined with an aprotic compound and contacted with a heterogeneous catalyst which causes the formaldehyde source to convert into a cyclic acetal such as trioxane. The catalyst, for instance, may comprise a solid catalyst such as an ion exchange resin. In one embodiment, the process is used for converting anhydrous formaldehyde gas to trioxane. The anhydrous formaldehyde gas may be produced form an aqueous formaldehyde solution by an extractive distillation. The aprotic compound and the formaldehyde solution may be extracted from the reaction product and recycled into the process.

The present invention provides a trioxane composition which comprises trioxane as a main component, an antioxidant, and at least one alkaline organic compound selected from the group consisting of an amine compound having an alcoholic hydroxy group in the molecule thereof, a thiocarbamate compound, and an organophosphorus compound, wherein the amount of the alkaline organic compound contained is 0.01 to 10 ppm, based on the trioxane, and wherein the trioxane composition is a liquid.

The present invention provides a trioxane composition which comprises trioxane as a main component, an antioxidant, and at least one alkaline organic compound selected from the group consisting of an amine compound having an alcoholic hydroxy group in the molecule thereof, a thiocarbamate compound, and an organophosphorus compound, wherein the amount of the alkaline organic compound contained is 0.01 to 10 ppm, based on the trioxane, and wherein the trioxane composition is a liquid.

The present invention concerns a method for preparing 1,3,5-trioxane by trimerization of formaldehyde in the presence of methanesulfonic acid. The invention also concerns the use of at least one catalyst comprising methanesulfonic acid for the trimerization of formaldehyde into 1,3,5-trioxane.