A method of producing 12-dihydro steroids which comprises subjecting a 12-hydroxy steroid to the action of a 12-dehydroxylase producing microorganism.

Synthesis of steroids by cyclization of a dienyne terminating at one end of the molecule in an acetylenic group and at the other end in a cyclohexene ring wherein the olefinic group forms an allylic group with a substituent such as a thioketal or hydroxy group. Invention includes novel synthesis of the cyclization substrate, novel substrate and novel intermediates, whereby resolution of racemic mixtures and the production of d, l and dl enantiomers are made possible.

The reactions of uranium, molybdenum, rhenium, osmium and iridium hexafluorides with hydrogen gas in the presence of ultraviolet radiation or with silicon powder in an anhydrous HF slurry provide especially useful, high yield syntheses of pure pentafluorides.

Elymoclavine is prepared by oxidation of D-6-methyl-8-hydroxymethyl-10.alpha.-methoxy-8-ergolene to the corresponding D-8-aldehyde followed by reduction with an active metal in acid medium.

A process is provided for the catalytic production of methane from carbon oxides and hydrogen wherein water is introduced into the reaction vessel for the removal of the heat of reaction by the production of steam with the use of a catalyst effective at a temperature below 500.degree.F. The catalyst is a Group 8 metal, preferably mixtures of nickel and metals of the platinum group. Feedstock gas is normally obtained by gasification of fossil fuels or aliphatic alcohols with steam and/or oxygen.

An improved ammonia synthesis train utilizing hydrocarbon starting materials which are converted to hydrogen under superatmospheric pressure in a series of steps which include conversion of the hydrocarbons to hydrogen-carbon monoxide mixtures, shift conversion of the carbon monoxide to hydrogen and CO.sub.2, and removal of the CO.sub.2. In such a system, reduction in process gas losses is achieved through an improved arrangement and integration of the shift conversion and CO.sub.2 removal steps...

This invention relates to novel methods of synthesizing 3.alpha.,7.alpha.-dihydroxy-5.beta.-cholanic acid, and to novel intermediates therefor.

D-2-Amino-1-butanol, for the synthesis of ethambutol hydrochloride, d,d'-2,2'-(ethylenediimino)di-1-butanol dihydrochloride, is produced in high purity and good yields by the reaction of butene-1, a nitrile, preferably an excess of acetonitrile, and chlorine to form N-[1-(chloromethyl)propyl]acetimidoyl chloride which is hydrolyzed to dl-2-amino-1-butanol, which can be isolated as the hydrochloride, or free base, or a mixture, resolved with L(+)-tartaric acid and the d-2-amino-1-butanol reacted ...

Aldehydes are prepared by the reaction of mono-olefins with certain proportions of carbon monoxide and hydrogen at elevated temperatures and pressures in the presence of a water-promoted copper catalyst.

This invention relates to pharmacologically active compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein Z is trans--CH.dbd.CH, C.tbd.C; or CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 ; M is H or lower alkyl; n is an integer of from 2 to 5; X is alkyl; W is H or OR, wherein R is H, acyl, or alkyl; each Y is H, OH or alkoxy; and to novel intermediates and processes useful in the production thereof.