Abstract: A process for carrying out a catalytic high pressure synthesis using gaseous reactants in the presence of a fused iron oxide catalyst, which comprises passing the gas through one or more layers of a catalyst which consists predominantly or entirely of particles of which the length of one spatial dimension is several times the length of at least one of the two other spatial dimensions perpendicular thereto, and at least one of the smaller spatial dimensions is less than 5 mm long, the catalyst being so arranged in one or more cylindrical catalyst beds, arranged in series in the direction of flow of the gas, that the particles are orientated with their longest spatial dimension substantially parallel to the direction of flow of he gas and a catalyst bed for carrying out the process.

Abstract: Basic ethers having the general formula: ##EQU1## in which R is lower alkyl, R.sub.1 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl or benzyl, R.sub.2 is alkenyl, aralkenyl, optionally substituted by alkoxy, haloalkenyl, alkinyl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkylidenemethyl and R.sub.3 is hydrogen or methyl and their salts, which compounds have good analgesic and morphineantagonistic action.

Abstract: The resistance of plants to environmental factors such drought is increased by treating the plants themselves, their seeds before sowing or the surrounding soil, before or after emergence of the plants, with compositions containing aliphatic epoxymonocarboxylic acids containing one to three epoxy groups and 6 to 22 carbon atoms or the salts, lower alkyl esters, lower polyhydroxyalkyl esters, amides, monoalkylamides and dialkylamides thereof as active ingredient.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of noble metals emanating from the surface of catalysts used in high pressure gas reactions involving absorbing the noble metal dispersed in the reaction gas in an intercepting bed formed of acid-soluble metal oxides in which the external boundary surface of the intercepting bed is 1.5 to 20 times the cross-sectional area of the catalyst bed surface, the thickness of the intercepting bed, in the direction of gas flow through the material thereof, is 20 to 40 mm., and the flow of the reaction gases in the intercepting bed is in a direction parallel to the plane of the supporting base of the bed.

Abstract: Phenylpyridazines of the general formula: ##SPC1##In which Hal is a chlorine or bromine atom, R is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a phenyl group, and X and Y separately are oxygen or sulphur, but not both oxygen, a process for their preparation and herbicidal compositions containing them.

Abstract: Phenylpyridazine compounds of the general formula ##SPC1##In which Hal is a chlorine or bromine atom and R is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group containing 2 to 20 carbon atoms when Hal is chlorine and 1 to 20 carbon atoms when Hal is bromine, or is the group --OR', wherein R' is an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may be straight-chain or branched, and which have valuable herbicidal properties.