Abstract: A gradient index glass comprised of (SiO.sub.2).sub.m (R.sub.2 O).sub.n X.sub.p, wherein R is Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs, and X=TiO.sub.2, ZrO.sub.2 and/or HfO.sub.2, m is 44 to 99, n is 0.25 to 20, p is at least 0.1, and m+n+p=100.

Abstract: Preparation of 2-aryl-hydroquinones of formula (I) by oxidizing by an electrochemical route a compound of formula (II): ##STR1## wherein A represents an aryl group optionally substituted with groups compatible with the reaction conditions in an acidic aqueous reaction medium, at temperatures within the range of from 10.degree. to 100.degree. C., and with anodes of graphite or PbO.sub.2. The products are used in photography and in the field of liquid-crystal polymers.

Abstract: Process for extracting lactic acid from aqueous acidic media is disclosed which process includes treatment with a complexing macrocyclic octol and organic solvent immiscible with water, separating the organic phase containing the lactic acid-macrocyclic octol complex thereby formed, which releases the lactic acid by treatment with alkaline water or with methanol.

Abstract: A class of particularly active insecticidal compounds: N-(halobenzoyl)-N'-2-halo-4-[1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethoxy)ethoxy]-p henyl-ureas, the preparation of such compounds and their use against infestations by insects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing oximes starting from saturated primary (cyclo)aliphatic amines optionally substituted by groups which are inert under the reaction conditions, by reacting the saturated primary amine with oxygen, the reaction being conducted in the liquid phase in the presence of at least a catalyst based on compounds belonging to Group IV B of the Periodic System, thereby obtaining the corresponding aliphatic and cycloaliphatic oximes.

Abstract: Biotechnological resolution by means of enzymatic transesterification of the relevant racemic mixture of the optical isomers of .alpha.-alkyl-substituted primary alcohols having the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: R represents a linear or branched (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20)-alkyl or alkenyl group or an aryl group, also substituted or condensed with other groups, in particular a group of formula (II) or (III): ##STR2## wherein: R.sup.ii represents a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.8)-alkyl group, a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkenyl group, an alkoxy, phenyl, phenoxy, benzoyl, or heterocyclic group;R.sup.iii represents a hydrogen or halogen atom;R.sup.iv represents a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkyl group,and whereinR.sup.i represents a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed having formula: ##STR1## wherein: R is Cl, F;R.sub.1 is H, Cl, F;R.sub.2 and R.sub.5, equal to or differing from each other, are H, halogen, alkyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 ;R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, equal to or differing from each other, are: H, halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkenyl, haloalkenyl, alkenyloxy, haloalkenyloxy or alkynyl;Z is O, S or a group NR.sub.7, wherein R.sub.7 is alkyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 or H;Y is alkylene C.sub.2 -C.sub.4, haloethylene or haloethenyl;R.sub.6 is alkyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.4, haloalkyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.4, alkenyl C.sub.3 -C.sub.4, haloalkenyl C.sub.3 -C.sub.4, cycloalkyl C.sub.3 -C.sub.4, halocycloalkyl C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 or cycloalkenyl C.sub.3 -C.sub.4.The compounds having formula (I) are endowed with an elevated insecticide activity, which shows itself chiefly against insect larvae and eggs.

Abstract: A process of producing a silanic or siloxanic compound containing at least one cycloalkyl ring by the hydrogenation of a corresponding compound containing at least one aromatic ring, in the presence of a Raney nickel catalyst having a granulometry comprised essentially between 10 and 150 micrometers and a surface area of at least 80 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing polyhalogenated carbinols having formula: ##STR1## by reacting a compound having formula: ##STR2## with a system consisting of a compound having formula: ##STR3## and of a divalent metal or of a metal salt, in protic dipolar solvents, in which formulaeR=H, an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkadienyl, phenyl, naphthyl, anthracyl group, a heterocyclic radical, optionally substituted;R'=H, a haloalkyl, --CN, --COOR" group with R" equal to H or to an alkyl group;X.sup.1 =Cl, Br; .dbd.X.sup.2 =F, Cl, Br;X.sup.3 =Cl, Br, CF.sub.3, CCl.sub.3 ; Y=Br or Cl when X.sup.1, X.sup.2 and X.sup.3 are different from Br.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: m=1 or 2;q=1 or 2;Y=a haloethylene or haloethenyl group;X is oxygen or sulfur;A=N or CH;R is H, CH.sub.3 or F;R.sub.1 is selected from the group comprising chlorine, bromine, fluorine, CF.sub.3, phenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 haloalkoxy, alkylthio, haloalkylthio radical, wherein the halogen is Cl, Br or F;R.sub.2 is selected from the group comprising H, chlorine, bromine or fluorine; andR.sub.f is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 polyfluoroalkyl or a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 polyfluoroalkenyl radical containing at least 3 fluorine aotms and, optionally, other halogen atoms selected from the group comprising Cl and Br. These compounds have good fungicidal activity.

Abstract: A process of producing a silanic or siloxanic compound containing at least one cycloalkyl ring by hydrogenation of a corresponding compound containing at least one aromatic ring, in solution, in the presence of a catalyst comprising palladium, supported on active carbon and at a pressure equal to or higher than 10 bar.

Abstract: There is described a device which develops an attractive and toxic action for combatting insects, consisting of a substrate of fibers and/or fibrils containing, either in an adsorbed or dispersed form, a pheromone, and which is partially coated with a layer impermeable to the phermone, the layer carrying, adhering to its external surface, an insecticide or a substrate impregnated with an insecticide.

Abstract: A process for preparing L(-)-carnitine chloride having the formula: ##STR1## comprising the steps of: (a) reacting a racemic ester of (R,S)-3,4-epoxybutyric acid having the formula: ##STR2## wherein R is an alkyl group having from 1-10 carbons, or a benzyl group, with an enzyme capable of selectively hydrolyzing enantiomer S(-),(b) separating said enantiomer S(-), from non-reacted ester, which is predominantly in the R(+) form;(c) reacting (1) the non-reacted ester obtained in step (b) with trimethylamine hydrochlorid or (2) the trimethylamine, to obtain thereby an ester having the formula: ##STR3## (d) hydrolyzing the ester obtain in step (c) in the presence of HCl to obtain thereby the L(-)-carnitine chloride having formula (I).The present invention is also directed to a novel class of compounds comprising R(+) enantiomers of the esters of 3,4-epoxybutyric acid.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the preparation of the esters of an alkyltartronic acid by direct oxidation, with O.sub.2 or the like, at 30.degree.-200.degree. C., of the corresponding alkyl-malonic esters, in the presence of a catalytic system, comprising a salt of a transition metal, selected from Mn, Fe, Co and Cu, and an alkali-metal salt of an aliphatic carboxylic acid, optionally in the presence of a polar solvent.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: m=1 or 2;q=1 or 2;Y=a haloethylene or haloethenyl group;X is oxygen or sulfur;A=N or CH;R is H, CH.sub.3 or F;R.sub.1 is selected from the group comprising chlorine, bromine, fluorine CF.sub.3, phenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 haloalkoxy, alkylthio, haloalkylthio radical, wherein the halogen is Cl, Br or F;R.sub.2 is selected from the group comprising H, chlorine, bromine or fluorine; andR.sub.f is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 polyfluoroalkyl or a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 polyfluoroalkenyl radical containing at least 3 fluorine atoms and, optionally, other halogen atoms selected from the group comprising Cl and Br. These compounds have good fungicidal activity.

Abstract: There is described a process for preparing alkyl esters of methyltartronic acid by hydroxylation of methacrylic acid to alpha-methylglyceric acid with H.sub.2 O.sub.2, in an aqueous medium, in the presence of H.sub.2 WO.sub.4 and optionally of H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 or H.sub.3 AsO.sub.4 or alkaline salts thereof as catalysts, at pH<2 and at temperatures of from 50.degree. to 100.degree. C., by subsequent oxidation of alpha-methylglyceric acid to methyltartronic acid with HNO.sub.3 in excess or with O.sub.2, in an aqueous-alkaline medium, in the presence of Pd or Pt carried on carbon or oxides thereof as catalysts, at temperatures of 60.degree.-100.degree. C., and final esterification of methyltartronic acid with alcohols C.sub.1 -C.sub.4.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing boron compounds from aqueous effluents. The effluents are contacted, under stirring, with a divalent metal sulphate Me.sub.I SO.sub.4 and a divalent metal hydroxyde Me.sub.II (OH).sub.2, the sulphate-hydroxyde couple being selected from the group consisting of BeSO.sub.4 --Ba(OH).sub.2 ; BeSO.sub.4 --Sr(OH).sub.2 ; BeSO.sub.4 --Ca(OH).sub.2 ; MgSO.sub.4 --Ba(OH).sub.2 ; MgSO.sub.4 --Sr(OH).sub.2 ; MgSO.sub.4 --Ca(OH).sub.2 ; CaSO.sub.4 --Ba(OH).sub.2 ; CaSO.sub.4 --Sr(OH).sub.2 ; SrSO.sub.4 --Ba(OH).sub.2 ; ZnSO.sub.4 --Ba(OH).sub.2 ; ZnSO.sub.4 --Sr(OH).sub.2 ; ZnSO.sub.4 --Ca(OH).sub.2 ; CdSO.sub.4 --Ba(OH).sub.2 ; CdSO.sub.4 --Sr(OH).sub.2 and CdSO.sub.4 --Ca(OH).sub.2. The sulfate Me.sub.I SO.sub.4 and the hydroxide Me.sub.II (OH).sub.2, by reaction with each other, cause the sulphate Me.sub.II SO.sub.4 and the hydroxide Me.sub.I (OH).sub.2 to precipitate.The amount of Me.sub.II (OH).sub.2 is at least stoichiometric in respect of the amount of Me.sub.I SO.sub.