Patent activity, trends

Earlier formulations contained mainly chlorine bleach, metasiUcates, triphosphate, and nonionic surfactants. Modem manufacturers have switched to more compHcated formulations with disiUcates, phosphates or citrate, phosphonates, polycarboxylates, nonionic surfactants, oxygen bleach, bleach activator, and enzymes. The replacement of metasiUcates by disilicates lowers pH from approximately 12 to 10.5, at 1 g ADD/L water. The combined effect of decreased pH, the absence of hypochlorite, and the trend toward lower wash temperatures has paved the way for the introduction of enzymes into ADDs. Most ADD brands in Europe are part of the new generation of ADD products with enzymes. The new formulations are described in the patent hterature (55—57). 

Research on the identification of vanilloid antagonists has been pursued more intensively in industry than in academia. Thus, a SciFinder search for new chemical entities endowed with this type of activity pulled out 34 entries from the proprietary literature, and only 14 from journal articles during the period January 2004 June 2006. The patent literature can be difficult to evaluate and compare with the published data. Bioactivity is often not disclosed (or commented), and activity can be broadly claimed for a series of lead structures without specifying their optimal substitution. On the other hand, analysis of the patent literature does not only complement the published data, but also offers a preview of information that will be eventually disclosed and detailed in journals. Given the relevance of proprietary literature in the realm of vanilloids research, the main trends emerging from its analysis will be briefly summarized. 

Much progress has been made in understanding the catalytic activity of zeolites for several type of reactions. The number of reactions catalyzed by zeolites has been extended, and new multi-component polyfunctional catalysts with specific properties have been developed. In addition to cracking and hydrocracking, reactions such as n-alkane isomerization, low temperature isomerization of aromatic C8 hydrocarbons, and disproportionation of toluene are industrially performed over zeolite-containing catalysts. Moreover, introduction of various compounds (C02, HCl) into reaction mixtures allows one to control the intensity and selectivity of the reactions. There are many reviews on the catalytic behavior of zeolites and even more original papers and patents. This review emphasizes the results, achievements, and trends which we consider to be most important. 

Despite worldwide trends toward severe environmental legislation, the use of such acids as HF and H2SO4 is still in effect because of their high activity at low temperature. But simultaneously a huge effort has been and is still currently underway to develop solid or supported strong acids, which are easier to handle and to recycle. This trend is reflected by the impressive number of patents, special issues, and reviews devoted to this subject.11-16... 

Also he speculated that citrus juices contain two cloud-coagulating enzymes of different thermostabilities. One enzyme, most active at low pH and temperature, appeared to be destroyed by heating the juice at 65 to 70°C (149 to 158°F). The second enzyme, most active at pH 3.0 to 3.3 and about 35°C (95°F), appeared to require heating to 888C (191°F) for inactivation (12). Stevens (13) described a rapid test for pectic enzymes in citrus juice. It involved adding pectin under controlled conditions of temperature and sample preparation, and measuring the time required for flocculation. Stevens, and coworkers (14) further elaborated on the patent work (12, 13). They produced a trend curve of the... 

Thousands of papers and patents have appeared on the direct synthesis of organochlorosilanes since 1940 when Rochow reported the direct reaction.4 These results are comprehensively accounted for in a number of earlier reviews and books.3 8 The purpose of this review is to describe the recent developing trend of the direct reaction of elemental silicon with activated or unactivated alkyl chlorides, in particular, emphasizing direct reactions with a mixture of hydrogen chloride and activated alkyl chlorides such as polychlorinated methanes, silylmethyl chlorides and dichlorides, allyl chloride, etc. 

Soon after the initial discovery of the hydroformylation activity of RhH(CO)(PPh3)3 it was found that ligands have a profound influence on the activity and selectivity of the rhodium catalysts. The majority of the numerous published patents and publications are concerned with the effect of ligands and it is therefore impossible to review this matter here. Instead we have made a choice that includes a study of the electronic and steric effects of phosphines and phosphites and a few examples of bidentate ligands. A few trends will be briefly summarized. 

It has been necessary in some cases to make free use of the patent literature because of the scarcity of other sources of information. This is an unsatisfactory solution because of the recognized unreliability of the patent literature rdating to catalysts. Many patents are undoubtedly the result of sound observations and may be relied upon as sources of information many, however, are crowded with claims that constitute wide extrapolations from any experimental evidence and, hence, are not to be relied upon as supports for theories and explanations. This uncertain nature has been recognized in the present use of the patent literature and patents have been depended upon principally to indicate the trend of activity in the various fields. 

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