Abstract: A catalyst of bis(8-quinolinolate) copper (II) complex having the formula ##STR1## which is used for producing a hydroxyphenyl aliphatic acid derivative having the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 represents hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, hydroxy group or a lower alkylcarbonyl group; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and respectively represent hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; and m is 1 or 2; l is 0, 1 or 2; n is 0, 1 or 2; by reacting a halophenyl aliphatic acid derivative having the formula ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, m, l and n are defined above and R.sub.4 represents hydrogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon moiety; and X represents a halogen atom, with a base.

Abstract: A process for producing tolylthiourea having high purity comprises reacting toluidine with a thiocyanate and a mineral acid in the presence of an organic solvent and water.

Abstract: An inert organic solvent dispersion of alkali hydroxide is prepared by mixing an alkali hydroxide, an inert organic solvent and a stabilizer and heating and stirring at the temperature for forming the pasty alkali hydroxide and cooling the dispersion. The dispersion of alkali hydroxide is used in a reaction of an active methylene compound with an organoalkyl halide such as a reaction of a halophenylacetonitrile with an isopropyl halide to obtain .alpha.-isopropyl halophenylacetonitrile.