Abstract: Fungicidal compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.3 is hydrogen, R.sub.4 is phenyl optionally substituted with one halogen, and R.sub.5 is alkyl having up to 5 carbon atoms, alkenyl having up to 5 carbon atoms, alkynyl having up to 5 carbon atoms or monochlorophenoxymethyl or R.sub.5 is benzyl optionally ring substituted with up to three substituents selected from the class consisting of halogen, alkyl having up to 4 carbon atoms and alkoxy having up to 4 carbon atoms, or a fungicidal acid salt of such a compound.

Abstract: The guanidine derivative has the formula: ##STR1## where X is O or S: Y is N, CH or CCH.sub.3 : m is 0 or 1: R.sup.1 is hydrogen and R.sup.2 cyano, trifluoroacetyl, C.sub.1-6 alkanoyl, 4,5-dihydro-4-oxothiazol-2-yl or A-B where A is 3,4-dioxocyclobutene-1,2-diyl or C.dbd.Z where Z is oxygen, sulphur, NCN, NNO.sub.2, CHNO.sub.2, NCONH.sub.2, C(CN).sub.2, NCOR.sup.6, NCO.sub.2 R.sup.6, NSO.sub.2 R.sup.6 or NR.sup.7 where R.sup.6 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl and R.sup.7 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl and B is C.sub.1-6 alkyl, alkoxy or alkylthio or NR.sup.8 R.sup.9 where R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 are hydrogen, C.sub.1-10 alkyl, C.sub.3-10 -alkenyl, alkynyl or alkoxyalkyl, C.sub.2-6 (primary hydroxy)alkyl, or, when R.sup.9 is hydrogen, R.sup.8 is 2-[[5-dimethylaminomethylfuran-2-yl]methylthio]-ethylamino or R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 are together a 5- or 6-membered non-aromatic ring optionally containing an additional N or O; or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are together imidazolidin-2-ylidene: R.sup.3 is hydrogen or fluorine: R.sup.

Abstract: A substituted aromatic compound e.g. p-xylene is oxidized to an aromatic dicarboxylic acid e.g. terephthalic acid using a Co/Mn/Br catalyst in acetic acid and the slurry product is purified by treating with molecular oxygen and diluting with fresh acetic acid before separation of the terephthalic acid and mother liquor.

Abstract: Disperse monoazo dyestuffs of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is lower alkyl, n is 1, 2 or 3, Z is hydrogen, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, Y is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, chlorine, bromine, --NHCOX.sup.1 or --NHSO.sub.2 X.sup.2, X.sup.1 is lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, amino or N-lower alkylamino, X.sup.2 is lower alkyl, A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 are each independently lower alkylene, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each independently lower alkyl or hydroxyalkyl containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, together with a process of manufacture and the use of such dyestuffs for the coloration of synthetic polymeric materials particularly polyesters.

Abstract: A wide variety of chemical processes using thin films of reactants are carried out on the surface of a body rotating at high speed and the products are readily isolated (for example as fine particles or fibres) by using centrifugal force to fling the products from the rim of the body.

Abstract: Process for preparing a freeze-dried, potential liposome, mixture which comprises either (a) dissolving at least one liposome-forming amphipathic lipid, at least one biologically-active compound, and optionally one or more adjuvants, in a suitable solvent, and then freeze-drying the solution, or (b) preparing by any known method an aqueous liposome composition containing at least one biologically-active compound, and then freeze-drying the said aqueous liposome composition. Process for preparing an aqueous liposome composition which comprises dispersing said freeze-dried, potential liposome, mixture, obtained by procedure (a) or (b), in a suitable aqueous medium.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of heat-treating a biaxially oriented polyolefin film by constraining the film against shrinkage, heating the constrained film to at least the minimum stress relaxation temperature of the polyolefin, and thereafter cooling the treated film to a temperature below the alpha-relaxation temperature of the polyolefin. The film is preferably heated rapidly to the required temperature and cooled rapidly therefrom. The resultant films exhibit good modulus and thermal shrinkage characteristics. The heat-treatment may be supplemented by a conventional heat-setting operation to improve heat-sealing characteristics of the treated films.

Abstract: A reactor for catalytic gas reactions such as synthesis of methanol or ammonia comprises at least one cylindrical catalyst bed having a height not greater than half its over-all diameter and defined on its underside by a grid supported by a dished plate having peripheral mechanical connection to a downward extension of the bed wall. Preferably there are several such beds and an indirect heat exchanger upsteam of the downstream-most bed. The reactor is suitably 5-10 m in diameter and is especially for use at under 120 bar abs in an integrated process for producing methanol and ammonia.

Abstract: Cumene hydroperoxide is decomposed to phenol and acetone by mixing it with acetone and a catalyst, flowing it without substantial back mixing through a reactor and controlling the reaction temperature by evaporating acetone and thus reducing the acetone concentration of the mixture in the course of the reaction.

Abstract: 4-.beta., .beta.-dichlorovinyl (or dibromovinyl)-3,3-dimethylbutyrolactones are prepared from 1,1-dichloro (or dibromo)-4-methylpenta-1,3-diene by reacting with an acid of formula CH.sub.2 R.CO.sub.2 H in presence of a salt of a metal in one of its higher valency states, especially manganese (III), cerium (IV), or vanadium (V). Higher yields are obtained in the presence of the anhydride of the acid and of the sodium or potassium salt of the acid. Treatment of the lactones with an inorganic acid halide opens the lactone ring with formation of the corresponding 4-haloacid halide, which with alcohols affords the corresponding 4-haloacid ester, cyclised by bases to a 3-.beta.,.beta.-dichloro (or dibromo)vinyl-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic ester, intermediate for insecticides such as the m-phenoxybenzyl ester.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the manufacture of dry spun explosive fusecord, the method comprising continuously advancing a carrier tape in a horizontal linear path, partially convoluting the tape to form a longitudinal open trough portion extending over a feed zone of said path, continuously feeding a stream of explosive material into the trough portion at a controlled rate appropriate to the formation of the desired explosive core, said stream being elongated and extending longitudinally over a portion of said feed zone, further convoluting the loaded tape to form a closed tube surrounding the explosive core and subsequently applying reinforcing materials around the closed tube. The carrier tape is preferably convoluted by carrying it through guides while the tape is supported on an auxiliary transport tape of stronger material.

Abstract: The invention concerns novel 2-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)benzyloxy]acetic acids of the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is hydrogen or (1-4C)alkyl, R.sup.2 is phenyl optionally bearing a halogeno substituent, and R.sup.3 is hydrogen or (1-4C)alkyl, and when R.sup.3 is hydrogen pharmaceutically acceptable base-addition salts thereof; and processes for their manufacture.The compounds possess useful anti-arthritic properties coupled with desirable pharmacokinetic properties and the minimum of adverse properties, and the invention also concerns pharmaceutical compositions of such compounds for use in the treatment of arthritic joint diseases. A typical compound of the invention is 2-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)benzyloxy]-2-phenyl propionic acid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of explosive fusecord the method comprising continuously advancing and convoluting a carrier tape into hollow tubular form, feeding a stream of explosive material into the tubular carrier tape to form an explosive core encased by the carrier tube and subsequently applying reinforcing materials around said carrier tube, said carrier tape being convoluted by passing through shaping guide means, the passage of the carrier tape through the guide means being assisted by pulling an auxiliary transport belt through the guide means, said transport belt being in frictional contact with said carrier tape.The method facilitates higher fusecord production speeds by preventing stretching or rupture of the carrier tape.

Abstract: An acoustically lagged structure with improved low frequency attenuation has acoustic lagging in the form of a fibrous blanket provided with an external cladding skin held in spaced relationship from the component, e.g. pipe, to be lagged by spacing members. The blanket and/or spacing members are resilient to avoid mechanical close coupling of the skin and component.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle capable of being automatically guided towards a predetermined destination by the geometrical computation of light signals received by at least three omnidirectional detectors on-board the vehicle. Useful in restricted areas such as automatic warehouses and loading bays.

Abstract: In a process in which, after product recovery, an off-gas containing hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide is produced, energy economy is improved by reacting the off-gas in a fuel cell. The resulting electricity is preferably used for driving small machines in the process. The process is especially useful for producing methanol from natural gas feedstock and then includes the steps of methanating the off-gas and letting it down in an engine before passing it to a fuel cell.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for the extrusion and quenching of thermoplastics films wherein the film is electrostatically pinned to a cooled quenching surface by means of a blade electrode having a charge-emitting edge which is non-linear and conforms substantially to the transverse curvature in the edge portions of the film.

Abstract: Phenoxypyridines of the formula (I) ##STR1## possess herbicidal activity. These compounds are prepared by reacting 2-halogeno-3,5-B,A-substituted pyridine with a 3,4-C,D-substituted phenol in the presence of a base and preferably in the presence of a solvent for the reactants at a temperature in the range from 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. and recovering the compound of formula (I).

Abstract: A liquid container is provided adapted to form a part of apparatus for electrostatic spraying of liquids, such as pesticides. The container includes a body having an orifice for delivering liquid to a spray nozzle, and a closure for sealing the orifice prior to location of the container on the apparatus. The orifice is opened only when the container is mounted on the apparatus, and the orifice is reclosed when removed from the apparatus. An electrostatic valve may comprise the closure.

Abstract: Triphenylalkene derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkenylalkyl, halogenoalkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, dihydroxyalkyl, hydroxycycloalkyl, dihydroxycycloalkyl, hydroxycycloalkylalkyl, epoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl or alkylthioalkyl each of up to 10 carbon atoms, wherein R.sup.2 is alkyl of up to 6 carbon atoms, halogen or nitro and wherein ring A may optionally bear a halogen substituent or an alkoxy substituent of up to 4 carbon atoms. These compounds possess antioestrogenic activity and are useful in the treatment of anovulatory infertility and of breast tumours. Representative of the compounds is 1-p-allyloxyphenyl-trans-1,2-diphenylbut-2-ene. There are also disclosed processes for the manufacture of the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.