Novel benzaldehydes of the formula: ##STR1## Where n.sup.1 is the integer 1-8 and each OR.sup.1 group is hydroxy or a protective group which can be converted or removed to provide the dihydroxyphenyl moiety. The benzaldehydes are particularly useful as intermediates in the preparation of yellow azomethine dye developers.

Method and compounds are provided for use in the synthesis of steroids wherein a polyolefin is provided having an initiating group having a chalcogen atom in juxtaposition to a double bond, so as to be capable of bond formation to close to form a ring and having a terminating group involving pi unsaturation (a double or triple bond) conjugated to an aromatic ring. Upon acid catalysis, sigma bonds are formed through the interaction of a carbocation formed at the carbon atom bonded to the chalcoge...

Improved synthesis of boroxarophenanthrenes, comprising the step of adding gaseous BCl.sub.3 to a liquid hydrocarbon slurry of 2-hydroxybiphenyl at a specified temperature. Known methods involve the reaction of BCl.sub.3 with the phenol at -70.degree. C., the reaction being carried out in methylene chloride.

The synthesis of 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxycholesterol, 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxy-7-dehydrocholesterol and 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and other sterol derivatives from bile acids. Also the synthesis of 3,6-diketo steroids useful in the production of 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxycholesterol and other sterols which are biologically active or can be converted to biologically active sterols. The invention involves the sterols so produced and the processes by which they are prepared.

Process for synthesizing the lactone, (dl) 3,3a beta-4,5-6,6a betahexahydro-4beta(3-hydroxyl-1-trans-octenyl)-5alpha-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-cy clopenta [b] furan, a known intermediate for producing prostaglandin E.sub.2 and F.sub.2.alpha. and a process for preparing 11-desoxy and 11-alkyl prostaglandins from dihydroresorcyclic acid.

Vindesine is prepared by converting 4-desacetyl VLB C-3 carboxhydrazide to the corresponding azide with a nitrite such as n-butyl nitrite in THF and then reacting the thus formed azide with triphenylphosphine to yield an intermediate acyl iminophosphorane, which compound is decomposed with acid to yield vindesine of high purity and in good yield.

A new peptide is disclosed which has biological activity of the same type as known calcitonins and which has a shorter amino acid chain than natural calcitonins. Also resin peptides are disclosed which may be converted to peptides having such biological activity; and processes for producing said resin peptides and said calcitonin peptides.

A process for synthesizing doxorubicin and related compounds from aloe-emodin is disclosed. Intermediates useful in the preparation of doxorubicin and related compounds are also disclosed.

Process of preparing phthalidyl ampicillin or other orally absorbable penicillin ester by esterification of the parent penicillin in a two-phase system using a phase transfer catalyst which increases the solubility of a salt form of the penicillin in the water-immiscible solvent used in the process. The phase transfer catalysts are quaternary ammonium salts or tertiary amines of non-low molecular weight, or crown ethers.

The preparation of racemic and optically pure tryptophans is described. The D-enantiomers of the 6-substituted compounds possess a potent sweetening capability. Novel intermediates are also disclosed.