Abstract: Disclosed herein is granite-like artificial stone which comprises a matrix and chips dispersed therein, said matrix being a cured product of specific radical-polymerizable monomers and an inorganic filler powder, and said chips being a cured product of a mixture (II) which contains the components identical or similar to those in the mixture (I) but giving a different clarity and/or color tone from the cured product of the mixture (I). The artificial stone gives the appearance of granite and is superior in fabricability, heat resistance, hot water resistance, weather resistance, yellowing resistance, and stain resistance.

Abstract: A preparation of metallic salt of ethercarboxylic acid in a pure form by restraining the formation of fumaric acid likely to occur when maleic acid and/or maleic anhydride react with oxycarboxylic acid. The ethercarboxylic product is a useful chelating agent.