Gist-brocades N.v.

Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij, B.v.

Shell Research Limited

Robert J Pryce

Philip J Geary

Kenneth H Clifford

Sheetal Handa

John E Hawes

The invention provides a process for the preparation of 2,6-difluorobenzamide which comprises subjecting 2,6-difluorobenzonitrile to the action of a suitable hydrolysing microorganism or nitrilase extract therefrom; and Rhodococcus Sp. NCIB 12218 or a mutant thereof, suitable for use in the process.

Process for the preparation of difluorobenzamide

A process for preparing a ketone of the general formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent a C.sub.1-6 alkyl or C.sub.6-12 aryl group, and R represents an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclic or carboxylic group, which process comprises reacting a carboxylic acid having the general formula I in which R represents a hydroxy group with a lithium compound to form the corresponding lithium salt of the carboxylic acid; reacting the lithium salt so-obtained with thionyl chloride to yield an acyl chloride having the general formula I in which R represents a chlorine atom; reacting the acyl chloride so-obtained with a secondary amine to yield an amide having general formula I in which R represents a secondary amino group; and reacting the amide so-obtained with an organometallic reagent to yield the ketone having general formula I.

Process for preparing 1,3-dioxolane ketones

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Faversham, United Kingdom

Robert J Pryce