Abstract: Thermosetting epoxy resin compositions having improved flame retardancy having combined therewith an effective amount of a dihydroxymethyl phosphine oxide having the general formula ##STR1## wherein R represents an alkyl group having from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms or --R'OH where R' represents an alkylene group having from 2 to about 8 carbon atoms, are disclosed.

Abstract: Spent catalysts are extracted for removal of catalytic metals from inert supports by oxidizing subvalent metals in a solution of a ligand which forms a soluble stable complex with the oxidized metal. The ligands are salts of 1,1-dithiolate, dithiocarbimate and dithiocarbamate dianions for extraction in water and of dithiocarbamate monoions for extraction in organic solvents.

Abstract: There is provided a process for effecting fluorination of benzene, p-difluorobenzene or p-dichlorobenzene by subjecting the same to the action of argentic fluoride (AgF.sub.2) in the liquid phase to obtain fluorobenzene from benzene or a fluorinated cyclohexadiene from halogenated benzene, respectively, in good yield and purity.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the preparation of an amido or an ureido derivative of certain 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-7-oxobenzo[b]thiophenes or certain 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-oxonaphthalenes which can be employed as an animal growth regulant. The process comprises: oxidizing in the presence of a cobaltic carboxylate reactant and in the absence or presence of air, a compound having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkanoyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.7, halogen-substituted alkanoyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.7, carboalkoxy C.sub.1 -C.sub.4, ##STR2## and ##STR3## R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 ; R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.8, alkanoyl C.sub.2 -C.sub.4, halogen-substituted alkanoyl (C.sub.2 -C.sub.

Abstract: A method for the attainment of enhanced enantioselectivity in the reduction of 3-acyl derivatives of 1-(2-alkoxyethyl)-4-phenyl-imidazolin-2-ones to the optically active 3-acyl derivatives of 1-(2-alkoxyethyl)-4-phenyl-2-imidazolidones for use in the direct manufacture of levamisole, (-), 2, 3, 5, 6-tetrahydro-6-phenylimidazo-[2,1-b]-thiazole, useful as an anthelmintic has been discovered. The method involves the preferred use of iodide salts of Rh(I) complexes of optically active bis-tertiary phosphines to achieve maximum enantioselectivity. The methods for preparing the iodide salts are disclosed.