Abstract: Substituted tertiary amines of the general formula ##EQU1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, X and Y are hereinafter defined and n is 1 - 20, and which are found useful as agents for complexing metal ions such as in the field of water treating.

Abstract: New and useful substituted ethane diphosphonic acids and salts and esters thereof as exemplified by the ester compound having the formula ##EQU1## tetraethyl, 1,2 dihydroxy ethane-1,1-diphosphonate and processes for preparing the same which generically comprise the "de-oxiranization" of an epoxy ethane diphosphonate having the formula ##EQU2## wherein R.sub.3 is hydrogen, a metal ion, or an organic radical.

Abstract: A process for preparing 1-hydroxy, ethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, which comprises contacting a phosphorus trihalide such as phosphorus trichloride with glacial acetic acid in a reaction zone maintained at a temperature of from about 50.degree.C. to about 80.degree.C. while continuously removing by-product acetyl halide as formed from the said reaction zone to form a single-phase liquid reaction product, heating said reaction product to a temperature of from 90.degree.C. to 140.degree.C. and reacting therewith acetic anhydride to form a normally solid anhydrous reaction product, and hydrolyzing said product by steam treatment to recover the desired 1-hydroxy, ethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid and remove by-product acetic acid. The acetyl halide by-product is recovered by absorbing same in the aqueous by-product acetic acid recovered from the hydrolysis step and thereby recovering glacial acetic acid for storage and recycle to the process. The process is adapted for continuous operation.

Abstract: Iron, manganese and other essential nutrient metals are supplied to plants growing in calcareous soils by treating the soil with a metal chelating agent or by treating the plant and/or the soil with a metal chelate of said chelating agent, said chelating agent being a 1,2-diaminocyclohexane tetrakis(methylene phosphonic acid) compound.

Abstract: New and useful substituted ethane diphosphonic acids and salts and esters thereof as exemplified by the ester compound having the formula ##EQU1## tetraethyl, 1,2 dihydroxy ethane-1,1-diphosphonate and processes for preparing the same which generically comprise the "de-oxiranization" of an epoxy ethane diphosphonate having the formula ##EQU2## wherein R.sub.3 is hydrogen, a metal ion, or an organic radical.