Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing horn substances from animal skin. The method is characterized in that animal skins are treated in an aqueous bath containing between 0.05 and 5 wt. %, in relation to the weight of the salt, of at least one compound of general formula I or the corresponding alkali metallic salts or alkaline-earth metallic salts thereof or ammonium or phosphonium salts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water-soluble or water-dispersible copolymers obtainable by free-radical polymerization of a) 80 to 20% by weight of hydroxy-C1–C6-alkyl (meth)acrylate and, where appropriate, one or more compounds of the formula (A) or (B) with R1=H, C1–C6-alkyl, R2=H, CH3 R3=C1–C24-alkyl or mixtures thereof in the presence of b) 20 to 80% by weight of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and c) where appropriate 0 to 20% by weight of other polymerizable compounds (C), a process for their preparation, and their use as coating agent, binder and/or film-forming excipient in pharmaceutical dosage forms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a herbicidal composition comprising a herbicidally acceptable carrier and/or surface active agent and, as active ingredient, a synergistically effective amount of (1) at least one compound of formula I:  in which R1, R2, A, m and n are as defined in claim 1; and (2) at least one additional herbicidal compound, which is active against broad-leaved weeds and/or annual grasses; and/or (3) at least one additional safening compound; which provides a synergistic effect against a broad spectrum of weed species, e.g., in cereal crops and/or reduces crop injuries. The invention also provides a respective method for controlling weeds and/or reducing crop injuries.

Abstract: Enantiomerically pure &bgr;-hydroxy esters are prepared by a process in which &bgr;-keto esters are reacted with hydrogen in the presence of catalysts of the formula LRuX2 where X is halogen, acetate, allyl, methallyl, 2-phenylallyl, perchlorate, trifluoroacetate, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluoroantimonate, hexafluorophosphate, hexafluoroarsenate or trichloroacetate, L is a bidentate phospholane of the formula I  where B=a bridging link with 1-5 carbon atoms between the two phosphorus atoms, R1=H, C1-C6-alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or SiR23, R2=alkyl or aryl, m=0 or 1, R3=H or OR4, and R4=R1, with the proviso that if m=1 then R3=H and if m=0 then R3 ≠ H.

Abstract: Novel peptides of the formulaA--B--D--E--F--L,wherein A, B, D, E, F, and L have the meanings stated in the specification, and their preparation are disclosed. The novel compounds are suitable for controlling diseases.