Roche Vitamins Inc.

Hoffmann-la Roche Inc.

Dsm IP Assets B.v.

Bruno Burdet

August Ruttimann

Theodor Siegfried

Jean-Marie Santer

Paul Nosberger

August Ruettimann

August R&uuml;ttimann

Johann Riegl

August Ru/ Ttimann

August R Uttimann

A process for manufacturing a hydroxylated isoflavone of the formula (I) given in the description comprises re-acting an appropriately substituted 2-hydroxydeoxybenzoin of the formula (II), also given in the description, with a formic acid anhydride of the formula HCOOCOR3, wherein Rsignifies C-alkyl or various other groups as given in the description, in presence of a base or in a solvent which acts as a base, and if necessary promoting the ensuing hydrolysis of the so-produced acylated form of the hydroxylated isoflavone of the formula I by acidification. Of particular interest as products of this process are the 5,7dihydroxyisoflavones, e.g. genistein (5,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone). Isoflavones display many useful biochemical effects.

Manufacture of isoflavones

A process for the production of 3-hydroxypropionitrile is provided. This process includes (a) reacting acrylonitrile with water at a defined molar ratio in the presence of a weak base under specific temperature and pressure conditions until a conversion in the range of about 40% to about 80% has been achieved; (b) after cooling the mixture obtained in (a), separating off its aqueous phase; (c) distilling off the acrylonitrile from the organic phase remaining after (b); (d) subjecting the mixture obtained in (c) to pyrolysis at specific temperature and pressure conditions in the presence of a basic catalyst to obtain a mixture consisting mainly of 3-hydroxypropionitrile and acrylonitrile; and (e) isolating the desired 3-hydroxypropionitrile by fractional distillation from the mixture obtained in (d). Such a process in which the basic aqueous phase and the acrylonitrile that has been distilled off are recycled represents a preferred embodiment.

Process for producing 3-hydroxypropionitrile

Cyclic dienol ethers

A process for the manufacture of a symmetrical, terminally ring-substituted polyenes by reacting a polyene di(O,O-dialkyl acetal) with a cyclic dienol ether in the presence of a Lewis or Br&ouml;nsted acid, hydrolyzing the condensation product resulting therefrom and cleaving off alcohol under basic or acidic conditions from the polyene derivative produced at this stage. The novel cyclic dienol ethers, as well as, novel intermediates resulting from the condensation and additional intermediates in this process form further aspects of the invention. The final products are primarily carotenoids, which find corresponding use, e.g., as colorings and pigments for foodstuffs, animal products, etc.

Process for making 4,4&prime;-diketo-carotenoids

A process for the manufacture of a .gamma.-acetoxy-tiglic aldehyde by reacting a .gamma.-bromotiglic aldehyde or a .gamma.-chlorotiglic aldehyde with sodium acetate or potassium acetate in an organic solvent in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst.

Process for the manufacture of a .gamma. -acetoxy-tiglic aldehyde

A novel process for the manufacture of a .gamma.-halotiglic aldehyde HalH.sub.2 C-CH.dbd.C(CH.sub.3)-CHO [I], wherein Hal signifies chlorine or bromine, comprises haloalkoxylating a 1-alkoxy-2-methyl-1,3-butadiene H.sub.2 C.dbd.CH-C (CH.sub.3).dbd.CH-OR.sup.1 [II], wherein R.sup.1 signifies C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, using a particular halogenating agent in a C.sub.1-4 -alkanol (R.sup.2 OH) and hydrolyzing the thus-obtained .gamma.-halotiglic aldehyde dialkyl acetal HalH.sub.2 C-CH.dbd.C(CH.sub.3)-CH (OR.sup.1)(OR.sup.2) [III] to the desired .gamma.-chloro- or .gamma.-bromotiglic aldehyde I. The halogenating agent used in this process is selected from an alkali metal hypochlorite, an alkali metal hypobromite, an alkaline earth metal hypochlorite, an alkaline earth metal hypobromite, tert.butyl hypochlorite, N-bromoacetamide, 1.3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin and 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. Further aspects of the present invention are the use of the thus manufactured .gamma.-halotiglic aldehyde for the production of .gamma.-acetoxy-tiglic aldehyde or of a Wittig aldehyde halide Hal-Ph.sub.3 P.sup.+ CH.sub.2 -CH.dbd.C(CH.sub.3)-CHO [VII], wherein Hal signifies chlorine or bromine and Ph a process for the catalytic dealkoxylation of the 1,1,3-trialkoxy-2-methyl-butane CH.sub.3 -CH(ORl)-CH(CH.sub.3)-CH(OR.sup.1).sub.2 [VI] to the corresponding 1-alkoxy-2-methyl-1,3-butadiene II in the gas phase using an aluminium silicate of medium specific surface as the catalyst. The products I, .gamma.-acetoxy-tiglic aldehyde and VII are known, important intermediates for the production of various apocarotenoids and diapocarotenoids as well as of Vitamin A.

Process for the catalytic dealkoxylation of

A novel process for the manufacture of a .gamma.-halotiglic aldehyde HalH.sub.2 C--CH.dbd.C(CH.sub.3)--CHO �I!, wherein Hal signifies chlorine or bromine, comprises haloalkoxylating a 1-alkoxy-2-methyl-1,3-butadiene H.sub.2 C.dbd.CH--C(CH.sub.3).dbd.CH--OR.sup.1 �II!, wherein R.sup.1 signifies C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, using a particular halogenating agent in a C.sub.1-4 -alkanol (R.sup.2 OH) and hydrolyzing the thus-obtained .gamma.-halotiglic aldehyde dialkyl acetal HalH.sub.2 C--CH.dbd.C(CH.sub.3)--CH(OR.sup.1)(OR.sup.2) �III! to the desired .gamma.-chloro- or .gamma.-bromotiglic aldehyde I. The halogenating agent used in this process is selected from an alkali metal hypochlorite, an alkali metal hypobromite, an alkaline earth metal hypochlorite, an alkaline earth metal hypobromite, tert.butyl hypochlorite, N-bromoacetamide, 1.3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin and 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. Further aspects of the present invention are the use of the thus-manufactured .gamma.-halotiglic aldehyde for the production of .gamma.-acetoxy-tiglic aldehyde or of a Wittig aldehyde halide Hal-Ph.sub.3 P.sup.+ CH.sub.2 --CH.dbd.C(CH.sub.3)--CHO �VII!, wherein Hal signifies chlorine or bromine and Ph signifies phenyl, as well as a process for the catalytic dealkoxylation of the 1,1,3-trialkoxy-2-methyl-butane CH.sub.3 --CH(OR.sup.1)--CH(CH.sub.3)--CH(OR.sup.1).sub.2 �VI! to the corresponding 1-alkoxy-2-methyl-1,3-butadiene II in the gas phase using an aluminium silicate of medium specific surface as the catalyst. The products I, .gamma.-acetoxy-tiglic aldehyde and VII are known, important intermediates for the production of various apocarotenoids and diapocarotenoids as well as of Vitamin A.

Process for the manufacture of a gamma-halotiglic aldehyde

Novel processes and intermediates useful for the manufacture of the Wittig ester salts are disclosed. The Wittig ester salts are known as important C.sub.5 building blocks for the manufacture of various polyenecarboxylic acid esters in the field of carotenoid chemistry.

Method for the production of (3-alkoxycarbonyl-2-butenyl)

A processes and intermediates useful for the manufacture of the Wittig ester salts are disclosed. The Wittig ester salts are known as important C.sub.5 building blocks for the manufacture of various polyenecarboxylic acid esters in the field of carotenoid chemistry.

Novel processes and intermediates useful for the manufacture of the Wittig ester salts are disclosed. The Wittig ester salts are known as important CS building blocks for the manufacture of various polyenecarboxylic acid esters in the field of carotenoid chemistry.

Growing community of inventors

Baldersheim, France

Bruno Burdet