Abstract: A method for dehalogenation of organohalogen compounds, e.g. environmental pollutants in industrial waste. The organohalogen is reacted with a reducing agent in the presence of a selected metal-centered corrin, porphyrin or phthalocyanine complex. Preferred complexes are hydrolysis products of cyanocobalamin, of formula (I), in which R.sup.1 is NH.sub.2 or OH, R.sup.2 is H, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 COOH or CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CONH.sub.2, R.sup.3 is H, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 COOH or CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CONH.sub.2, and R.sup.4 is NHCH.sub.2 CH(OH)CH.sub.3, OH or NH.sub.2. The complex is preferably immobilized on a substrate. Some novel metal-centered porphyrin complexes are also described. A dehalogenation apparatus using the method of the invention is also described.

Abstract: 1,1-Bis(R-phenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethanes are dehydrochlorinated in high yields, e.g., into 1,1-bis(chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethylenes, by reacting same with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, in liquid state in the presence of a phase transfer agent, e.g., a quaternary ammonium compound, but in the absence of any reaction solvent.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing chloromethyl phenethyl bromide, in which phenethyl bromide is reacted with HCl and formaldehyde in the presence of zinc chloride as the catalyst, and in a chlorinated hydrocarbon as the solvent. The product is produced in yields in excess of 70%, the para isomer constituting more than 75% of the product which contains a mixture of ortho, meta and para isomers.