Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in processes towards the production 3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid, which is a useful intermediate in fungicide production. In particular, the invention relates to a process for treating a compound of formula III, wherein R1 is C1-C6 alkyl and R2 is CF3, CF2H or CFH2, comprising the steps of a) contacting a compound of formula III with base, and b) separating the compound of formula III and the base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in processes towards the production 3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid, which is a useful intermediate in fungicide production. In particular, the invention relates to a process for treating a compound of formula III, wherein R1 is C1-C6 alkyl and R2 is CF3, CF2H or CFH2, comprising the steps of a) contacting a compound of formula III with base, and b) separating the compound of formula III and the base.

Abstract: A method for removing impurities from 2-nitro-4-methylsulfonylbenzoic acid which comprises at least two of the following steps, in any order, (a) dissolving 2-nitro-4-methylsulfonylbenzoic acid in water at a pH of about 2 to 10, followed by filtration; (b) contacting an aqueous solution of 2-nitro-4-methylsulfonylbenizoic acid with activated carbon at a pH of about 2 to 10; (c) treating an aqueous solution of 2-nitro-4-methylsulfonylbenzoic acid with sufficient base to hydrolyze undesired nitro and dinitro substituted impurities; followed by maintaining the resulting aqueous solution comprising 2-nitro-4-methylsulfonylbenzoic acid at a temperature of up to about 95° C., and adjusting the pH of said solution to about a pH which is sufficient to effect crystallization of 2-nitro-4-methylsulfonylbenzoic acid upon cooling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of the general formula: wherein R1 is a 4-pyrimidinyl ring substituted at the 6-position by halo, hydroxy, 2-cyanophenoxy, 2,6-difluorophenoxy, 2-nitrophenoxy or 2-thiocarboxamidophenoxy and wherein R2 is any group which can be transesterified to form a methyl ester. The present invention is also directed to a process of preparing said compound.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of the general formula (I): wherein R1 is a 4-pyrimidinyl ring substituted at the 6-position by halo, hydroxy, 2-cyanophenoxy, 2,6-difluorophenoxy, 2-nitrophenoxy or 2-thiocarboxamidophenoxy and R2 is any group which can be transesterified to form a methyl ester, which comprises treating a compound of general formula (II): wherein R1 and R2 have the meanings given above, with a formylating agent and subsequently treating the formylated product with a methylating agent

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of the general formula (I): wherein R1 is a 4-pyrimidinyl ring substituted at the 6-position by halo, hydroxy, 2-cyanophenoxy, 2,6-difluorophenoxy, 2-nitrophenoxy or 2-thiocarboxamidophenoxy and R2 is any group which can be transesterified to form a methyl ester, which comprises treating a compound of general formula (II): wherein R1 and R2 have the meanings given above, with a formylating agent and subsequently treating the formylated product with a methylating agent.

Abstract: A process for producing fomesafen from acifluorfen comprises the steps of (a) converting acifluorfen to its acid chloride, (b) coupling the acid chloride so formed with methanesulphonamide to form crude fomesafen and (c) purifying the crude fomesafen, characterized in that each of the steps is carried out in a single common solvent, which is preferably a chloroalkane. Preferably the steps are telescoped together so that there is no isolation of the product for any step until fomesafen is obtained.

Abstract: A method for removing impurities from 2-nitro-4-methylsulfonylbenzoic acid which comprises at least two of the following steps, in any order, (a) dissolving 2-nitro-4-methylsulfonylbenzoic acid in water at a pH of about 2 to 10, followed by filtration; (b) contacting an aqueous solution of 2-nitro-4-methylsulfonylberizoic acid with activated carbon at a pH of about 2 to 10; (c) treating an aqueous solution of 2-nitro-4-methylsulfonylbenzoic acid with sufficient base to hydrolyze undesired nitro and dinitro substituted impurities; followed by maintaining the resulting aqueous solution comprising 2-nitro-4-methylsulfonylbenzoic acid at a temperature of up to about 95° C., and adjusting the pH of said solution to about a pH which is sufficient to effect crystallization of 2-nitro-4-methylsulfonylbenzoic acid upon cooling.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of general formula I: 1

Abstract: A process for producing fomesafen from acifluorfen comprises the steps of (a) converting acifluorfen to its acid chloride, (b) coupling the acid chloride so formed with methanesulphonamide to form crude fomesafen and (c) purifying the crude fomesafen, characterized in that each of the steps is carried out in a single common solvent, which is preferably a chloroalkane.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a sulfonamide of formula:RSO.sub.2 NR.sup.1 R.sup.2wherein R represents C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl; andR.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl or C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl; which comprises reacting the corresponding alkane- or arenesulfonyl halide of formula:RSO.sub.2 Halwherein Hal represents halogen; with the corresponding compound of formula:NHR.sup.1 R.sup.2in an aqueous solvent and extracting the sulfonamide from the resulting mixture into a polar organic solvent.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of general formula I: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkenyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkynyl, any of which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen and OH; or COOR.sup.4, COR.sup.6, CONR.sup.4 R.sup.5 or CONHSO.sub.2 R.sup.4 ;R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each independently hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms;R.sup.6 is a halogen atom or a group R.sup.4 ;R.sup.2 is hydrogen or halo;R.sup.3 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkenyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkynyl, any of which may optionally be substituted with one or more halogen atoms; or halo;the process comprising reacting a compound of general formula II: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.

Abstract: A process for the nitration of an aromatic or heteroaromatic compound with a nitrating agent comprising nitric acid or a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids, characterised in that nitration is performed in a solvent comprising at least 50% v/v of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl ester of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 carboxylic acid. The process is of particular use for the nitration of diphenyl ethers to give compounds which are useful as herbicides or as intermediates in the synthesis of herbicides.