Abstract: A facile process for the preparation of 4,6-dichloropyrimidine is provided, which utilizes quaternary ammonium salts or quaternary phosphonium salts as catalysts for the reaction of, for example, 4,6-dihydroxypyrimidine or 4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidine with phosgene.

Abstract: 4,6-Dichloropyrimidine is prepared by treating 4,6-dihydroxypyrimidine with a chlorinating agent of the formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 PCl.sub.2 wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently alkyl or aryl, or one or more of the groups R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is linked to a polymer support. Conveniently, the chlorinating agent may be prepared in situ by reacting the corresponding phosphine oxide with phosgene. Thus, in a preferred process, 4,6-dichloropyrimidine is prepared by treating 4,6-dihydroxypyrimidine with phosgene in the presence of a phosphine oxide.

Abstract: Methyl 2-(chloro- or bromomethyl)phenylacetate is prepared by treating 3-isochromanone with thionyl chloride or thionyl bromide in the presence of methanol.

Abstract: A process for preparing 2-(6-substituted pyrid-2-yloxymethyl)phenyacetates especially useful as intermediates for producing agricultural fungicides. The invention provides a compound having the formula (I): wherein A and D are independently selected from the group comprising halo, hydroxy, halo(C.sub.1-4)alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, thio(C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, halo(C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, phenyl, phenoxy, nitro, amino, aclyamino, cyano, carboxy, C.sub.1-4 alkoxycarbonyl and C.sub.1-4 alkylcarbonyloxy, or D is C.sub.1-4 alkyl, and m is 0 or an integer of from 1 to 3. The process comprises treating a compound of formula (II): ##STR1## wherein A, D and m are defined as above and M is a metal atom, with a compound of formula (III): ##STR2## wherein L is a leaving group.

Abstract: 3-Isochromanone is prepared by reacting o-tolyacetic acid with sulphuryl chloride in the presence of a free radical initiator, e.g. AIBN, followed by ring closure of the 2-chloromethylphenylacetic acid so formed with a base, e.g. potassium bicarbonate.

Abstract: A chiral, organometallic compound which, at a molecular level, has no C2 symmetry and comprises a carbon to carbon bond joining a chiral carbon atom to a carbon atom of a cyclopentadiene ring that is non-symmetrically substituted. Examples of such compounds include compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are, independently, groups which are removable during a chemical reaction; M is titanium, zirconium or hafnium; and R.sup.1-8,11 are as specified in the description.

Abstract: A process comprising the reaction of an optionally substituted benzene with thiophosgene in the presence of a Friedel Crafts catalyst for the preparation of the equivalent optionally substituted benzophenthione. The benzophenthiones are converted into the equivalent benzophenone derivatives by hydrolysis.