Abstract: C3-12 alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl and cycloalkyl cyanoacetates are prepared by an efficient and simplified one-step process in which a small molar excess of the corresponding alcohol, i.e., C3-12 alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl or cycloalkenyl alcohol is reacted with crystalline cyanoacetic acid, or a concentrated aqueous solution of cyanoacetic acid, in the presence of an acid catalyst, such as, for example, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid at a temperature in the range of from about 60° C. to about 150° C., in accordance with the following reaction: CNCH2COOH+R—OH→(cat)CNCH2COOR+H2O  (I) where R is a C3-12 alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl or cycloalkyl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a general synthesis for producing secondaryalkoxy-1-alkenes in commercial quantities in good yields by reacting cyclic and acyclic ketones and the corresponding alcohol with a secondary alkyl orthoformate ester in the presence of an acid catalyst, a Lewis acid, ferric chloride being preferred, and recovering the produce as a liquid of high purity.

Abstract: Alkyl, aralkyl or aryl cyanoformate esters having from one to 20 carbon atoms are prepared by anhydrously reacting stoichiometric amounts of the corresponding alkyl, aralkyl or aryl haloformate and an organosilyl nitrile in the presence of a catalytic amount of a tertiary amine base, preferably 1,4-diazabicyclo?2.2.2!octane, in the absence or presence of an inert solvent. The reaction is conducted at a temperature of from about -30.degree. C. to 70.degree. C., preferably at from about 5.degree. C. to 30.degree. C.

Abstract: Ortho esters of the structure ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are different or the same alkyl moieties and can be a saturated, unsaturated, branched, unbranched or cyclic alkyl moiety of 1-3 carbon atoms, are prepared by first anhydrously reacting hydrogen cyanide or a hydrogen cyanide derivative with a secondary alkanol and hydrogen chloride in the presence of an inert organic solvent. Upon the formation of the resulting imino ether hydrochloride, more secondary alkanol is added to form the ortho esters (I). 1,1-Dialkoxycycloalkanes of the structure ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 correspond to R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 of structure (I), and n is an integer from 4 to 9, are prepared by reacting with the imino ether hydrochloride more secondary alkanol and a cycloalkanone having 5 to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Ortho esters of the structure ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are different or the same alkyl moieties and can be a saturated, unsaturated, branched, unbranched or cyclic alkyl moiety of 1-3 carbon atoms, are prepared by first anhydrously reacting hydrogen cyanide or a hydrogen cyanide derivative with a secondary alkanol and hydrogen chloride in the presence of an inert organic solvent. Upon the formation of the resulting imino ether hydrochloride, more secondary alkanol is added to form the ortho esters (I). 1,1-Dialkoxycycloalkanes of the structure ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 correspond to R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 of structure (I), and n is an integer from 4 to 9, are prepared by reacting with the imino ether hydrochloride more secondary alkanol and a cycloalkanone having 5 to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Trialkylsilyl nitrile is prepared by anhydrously reacting stoichiometric amounts of trialkylsilyl halide, hexaalkyldisilazane or trialkylsilyl amine, and hydrogen cyanide, in the absence or presence of a solvent or inert gas atmosphere. No catalyst is necessary, and the reaction preferably is performed at a temperature of from 5.degree. C. to 25.degree. C.