Gist-brocades N.v.

Gist-brocades B.v.

Dsm N.v.

Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij, B.v.

Shell International Petroleum Company, Ltd.

Hein Simon Koger

Arthur F Marx

Gareth T Phillips

Mauro A Bertola

Jan Verweij

Johannes Wilhelmus Lambers

Peter D Watts

Brian W Robertson

Wilhelmus J Quax

Pieter Gijsbert Weber

Cornelis J Van Der Laken

Gareth Thomas Phillips

Mauro Attilio Bertola

Arthur Friedrich Marx

Robertus Mattheus De Pater

Volkert P Claassen

George William Matcham

Volkert Paul Claassen

Peter Douglas Watts

Brian William Robertson

Novel phytosphingosine-based analogs of ceramide I, methods for the preparation of these novel compounds, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and methods for the use thereof are described.

Phytosphingosine-based ceramide I analogs

Linoleoylamide based ceramide derivative and its use in cosmetic

Process for the preparation of R-2,2-R.sub.1,R.sub.2 -1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are H or alkyl groups or wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a carbocyclic ring by subjecting a mixture of R- and S-2,2-R.sub.1,R.sub.2 -1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol to the action of a micro-organism or substances derived therefrom having the ability for stereoselective consumption of S-2,2-R.sub.1,R.sub.2 -1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol preferably until at least 80 wt % and more preferably all the S-2,2-R.sub.1,R.sub.2 -1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol is consumed. Various micro-organisms of the genus Rhodococcus, Nocardia and Corynebacterium are disclosed as suitable for the purpose. The R-isomer is a valuable intermediate for stereospecific synthesis of various biologically active compounds including S-metoprolol.

Process for the preparation of R-2,2-R.sub.1,R.sub.2

A process for the preparation of a pharmaceutically active compound in a stereospecific form of the formula ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, like an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt or a pivaloyl ester, wherein R.sub.1 represents an optionally substituted aryl group such as a phenyl or naphthyl group optionally included in a heterocyclic ring system, which is optionally substituted, or represents a heteroaromatic ring system containing in addition to carbon atoms one or more atoms selected from nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen, this ring system being optionally substituted, which comprises subjecting a compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.2 is an ester residue and preferably an alkyl group optionally substituted, to the action of a micro-organism having the ability for stereoselective hydrolysis of compound (II) into compound (I), having at least 80% by weight the S-configuration, and if desired converting compound (I) into the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.

Microbial purified esterases

A process for the preparation of metoprolol in a stereospecific form or a non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof and/or a stereospecific form of 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl glycidyl ether which comprises subjecting 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl allyl ether to the action of a microorganism having the ability for stereoselective epoxidation of 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl allyl ether into 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl glycidyl ether having at least 80% by weight the S configuration, at least partly separating 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl glycidyl ether and/or reacting 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl glycidyl ether with isopropylamine and at least partly separating metoprolol and/or converting metoprolol into its non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt.

Process for producing 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl-glycidyl ether and/or

A process for the preparation of a pharmaceutically active compound in a stereospecific form of the formula ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, like an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt or a pivaloyl ester, wherein R.sub.1 represents an optionally substituted aryl group such as a phenyl or naphthyl group optionally included in a heterocyclic ring system, which is optionally substituted, or represents a heteroaromatic ring system containing in addition to carbon atoms one or more atoms selected from nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen, this ring system being optionally substituted, which comprises subjecting a compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is an ester residue and preferably an alkyl group optionally substituted, to the action of a micro-organism having the ability for stereoselective hydrolysis of compound (II) into compound (I), having at least 80% by weight the S-configuration, and if desired converting compound (I) into the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.

Process for the preparation of a pharmaceutically active compound in a

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Spaarndam, Netherlands

Hein Simon Koger