Abstract: The present invention relates to a new formulation characterised by the presence of two components, one of which (A) possesses insecticidal, acaricidal, fungicidal, snailcidal or vermicidal activity and the other (B) exhibits synergistic activity with the first by enhancing its effectiveness, and in which the average release time of component (A) is 1 to 12 hours later than the average release time of component (B). The formulation is obtained by: a) separate microencapsulation of both components (A) and (B) within a multilayer system of specific polymers in which component (A) is in a more interior portion of the capsule than component (B), being separated from component (B) by a polymer layer of suitable thickness (FIG. 1); b) microencapsulation of both components within a single layer system (FIG. 2), combined with an immediate-release emulsion/microemulsion containing an additional amount of component (B).

Abstract: The present invention provides a formulation characterised by the simultaneous presence in cyclodextrin based supramolecular complexes, of two components, one of which possesses insecticidal, acaricidal, fungicidal, snailcidal or vermicidal activity and the other possesses an activity synergistic with the first, enhancing its effectiveness. The biologically active substance is chosen from the following classes of chemical products: carbamates, organophosphates, thioureas, pentatomic or hexatomic heterocycles in which 1, 2 or 3 nitrogen atoms are present. The synergistic substance can be chosen from components containing at least one aromatic or non aromatic carbocyclic ring, such as piperonyl butoxide, sesamol, verbutin or MGK 264. For the same dose, the activity of the present formulations is greater than that of the mixture of the two active components alone or separately complexed with cyclodextrin.

Abstract: A new process for synthesizing 3,4-dioxo-substituted aromatic aldehydes by Oppenauer oxidation of the corresponding benzyl alcohols is described. The process, which specifically uses formaldehyde as hydrogen acceptor, proceeds with unexpectedly high yields and conversion percentages, allowing low cost access to finished and intermediate products of high industrial interest in the field of pharmaceutical products and fragrances.

Abstract: A new high-yield, easily industrialized process for synthesizing compounds of formula (IV), in which X1 and X2, the same or different, are linear or branched C1-C8 alkyls, n and m are 0, 1 or 2, with the proviso that n and m are not simultaneously 0; or (OX1)n and (OX2)m taken together form an O-T-O group where T is chosen from —CH2—, —CH2CH2, —CH2CH2CH2—, —C(CH3)2—. The process comprises treating a chloromethyl derivative (I) with an alkaline acetate to form the intermediate acetylderivative (II); the intermediate (II) is to hydrolysed to form the alcohol (III); the alcohol (III) is then oxidised in the presence of air and catalysts to obtain the desired derivative (IV). The process runs its course within a short period of time, with high yields and high selectivity; in addition, the process does not require purification and separation of the intermediates and can therefore be favourably conducted in a single batch.

Abstract: Synthesis process of 5-benzyl-3-furfuryl alcohol including the reduction reaction with NaBH4 or with sodium dihydro bis-(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminium hydride of 3-benzyl-5-hydroxymethyl-5-carboxyalkyl isoxazoline to give 3-benzyl-5,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)isoxazoline which, through subsequent reduction in the presence of a weak protic acid and consequent rearrangement with strong aqueous acid, gives 5-benzyl-3-furfuryl alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention regards a three-step process for the synthesis of 5-(&agr;-hydroxyalkyl) benzo[1,3]dioxols. The process comprises: (i) the reaction of pyrocatechin (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) with a dihalo or di-alkoxyalkane, with the formation of a benzo[1,3]dioxol derivative; (ii) 5-selective catalytic acylation of the benzo[1,3]dioxol, with formation of a 5-alkanoylbenzo[1,3]dioxol and its subsequent (iii) reduction to 5-(&agr;-hydroxyalkyl) benzo[1,3]dioxol. Also described are new benzodioxols obtainable using the above-mentioned process. The process of the invention is industrially simple and has low environmental impact; it allows to obtain in high yields derivatives of considerable interest, in particular for the perfumery industry, and in the sector of insecticides.

Abstract: The following description refers to a new process for the synthesis of 5-alkylated benzo[1,3]dioxole, comprising the following steps in sequence: catalytic hydrogenation of 4-acylphenol; acylation; displacement catalysed by Lewis acids; treatment with an inorganic basic compound and hydrogen peroxide; reaction with alkyl dihalides or dialkoxyalkanes. The process described herein, which yields 5-alkylbenzo[1,3]dioxoles, is economic and can be easily scaled up to industrial size.

Abstract: Insecticided compositions comprising (a) a mixture of methylenedioxybenzene derivative compounds having in the benzene ring one, two and three substituents of the formula --CH.sub.2 O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.2 --R.sub.1 wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (b) an insecticide selected from the group consisting of synthetic pyrethroids, carbamates, organic phosphorates, avermentines and insect growth regulators.