Abstract: A process for oxidizing primary and secondary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones is disclosed. The oxidation is carried out by reacting the primary or secondary alcohol with an organic N-chloro compound oxidizing agent in the presence of a catalyst of the formula: ##STR1## wherein the substituent groups are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-2-isoquinoline-derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein R signifies hydroxy, lower alkylamino, lower alkoxy or phenyl-C.sub.2-6 -alkoxy which can carry one or more lower alkyl or lower alkoxy substituents on the phenyl ring,can be manufactured by cyclizing a phenethylamine derivative of the formula ##STR2## wherein Z signifies benzyloxycarbonyl and R" signifies hydroxy, lower alkylamino, lower alkoxy or phenyl-lower-alkoxy which can carry one or more lower alkyl or lower alkoxy substituents on the phenyl ring,with formaldehyde in the presence of sulphuric acid in acetic acid to a corresponding tetrahydroisoquinoline derivative of the formula ##STR3## and cleaving off the group Z in the compound obtained.

Abstract: Methyl 4-dimethylamino-3,5-dimethoxybenzoate, an intermediate in the preparation of the antibacterially active aditoprim, is obtained from 4-amino-3,5-dibromobenzoic acid by replacement of the bromine atoms by methoxy groups and subsequent methylation.