Abstract: Glyoxylic acids or derivatives thereof are prepared by reacting an acyl nitrile compound with concentrated sulfuric acid in the presence of halide anion to form a first reaction product and then further reacting the first reaction product with a compound of the general formula ROH to form the desired glyoxylic acid or glyoxylic acid derivative.

Abstract: The halophenoxy-alkoxy phosphonates and corresponding thiophosphonates of the present invention are represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is alkylene having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;Y is O or S;X is --OH, halo, ##STR2## ,--ORSROH, or --OH.N4R"'(ROH); Z is --OH, halo, ##STR3## when X is --OH.N4R"'(ROH), then Z can also be --OH.N4R"'(ROH); R' is H or alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;R" is C.sub.1-4 alkyl sulfonic acid or a salt thereof, such as the halide or alkali metal salt;R"' is H or --ROH; andm is an integer from 1 to 5and wherein at least one of X and Z is other than --OH. These compounds are particularly useful as pre-emergent herbicides and lubricants or lubricant additives.

Abstract: The halophenoxy-alkoxy phosphorous-containing sulfides of the present invention are represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein each R is alkylene having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms:Y is O or S;m is an integer from 1 to 3;p is O or 1and whereinP is trivalent when p is O and pentavalent when p is 1.These compounds are particularly useful as herbicides, algicides and lubricants or lubricant additives.