Abstract: An optically active carboxylic acid derivative represented by the general formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a normal alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, m and n represent 0 or 1 but are not 1 at the same time, X represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, Y represents a hydrogen or fluorine atom, provided that when Y is a hydrogen atom, X is a halogen atom, and that when n is 0, Y is a hydrogen atom, and Q* represents an optically active alkyl or 1-alkoxyethyl group having an asymmetric carbon atom.

Abstract: An aqueous foam fire extinguisher comprising (A) a surface-active agent having an anionic hydrophilic group, (B) a cationic water-soluble polymeric substance, and, optionally, (C) a polybasic acid compound.

Abstract: A method for separating an ionic substance from a liquid medium, which comprises including a metal ion, a metal oxide ion, a metal complex ion, ammonium compounds, etc. dissolved or dispersed in the liquid medium by using a fluorine containing compound of the following formula[{Rf-(A).sub.a -Y}(X).sub.b ].sub.n (Z).sub.ccontaining a fluoroalkyl group (Rf) having 3 to 20 carbon atoms and a group (Y) having affinity for the ionic substances. A composition for trapping ionic substances, comprising the aforesaid fluorine-containing compound as a main ingredient. The invention can be advantageously applied to the recovery of useful metals from ocean waters.

Abstract: A fluorine-containing aminosulfonate of the general formulaR.sub.f -Q.sub.l -N(R.sub.1)-Q.sub.2 -N(R.sub.2)-Q.sub.3 -SO.sub.3 Mwherein R.sub.f represents a perfluorinated aliphatic group having 3 to 16 carbon atoms; Q.sub.1 represents --CH.sub.2 --.sub.h in which h represents an integer of 1 to 6, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Z--.sub.i in which Z represents --O-- or --S--, and i represents an integer of 1 to 4, ##STR1## or a combination of these; Q.sub.2 and Q.sub.3 are identical or different and each represents --CH.sub.2 --.sub.j in which j represents an integer of 1 to 6, ##STR2## in which R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or ##STR3## M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom, an alkaline earth methal atom, or --N(H).sub.m (R.sub.4).sub.n in which R.sub.4 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and m and n represent 0 or an integer of 1 to 4 provided that m+n=4; R.sub.

Abstract: In a master plate for dry lithographic printing comprising (1) a substrate and (3) an ink-repellent silicone layer formed thereon, the improvement wherein a toner anchoring layers (2) composed of a resin having compatibility with an image layer (5) to be superimposed on the silicone layer (3) during image making or a resin containing an active group capable of reacting with the image layer (5) during image making is formed between the substrate (1) and the silicone layer (3), and wherein the silicone layer (3) is composed of a silicone resin containing a fluorine-containing surface-active compound of the formulaRf--X--Ywherein Rf represents a fluorinated aliphatic radical having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, X represents a divalent linking group, and Y represents a hydrophilic group having a nitrogen-containing linking moiety or a phosphorus containing linking moiety.

Abstract: Polydialkoxyphenylenes composed of recurring structural units of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R and R' each represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R and R' may be identical or different, but in no case R and R' are both methyl groups. These compounds can be prepared by polymerizing p-dialkoxybenzenes in an inert solvent in the presence of a Lewis acid and an oxidant under reduced pressure.

Abstract: A process for producing a magnetic metal powder having improved oxidation resistance and magnetic properties, which comprises wetting a magnetic metal powder in an atmosphere of a non-oxidizing gas with a solution of a boron trialkoxide in a solvent being inert to the magnetic metal powder and capable of dissolving the boron trialkoxide; and thereafter evaporating off the solvent.

Abstract: An improved voltmeter of the liquid crystal display type comprising an electrically insulated casing 4, a detecting electrode 9 secured to its forward end, a liquid crystal display element 1 within the casing electrically connected to said detecting electrode, a grounded electrode 12 within the casing electrically connected to said display element, and a window 14 at the rear end of said casing for detecting the operation of said display element therethrough. The improvement consists in the further inclusion of a piezoelectric unit 2 and a pressurizing mechanism 3 in the casing 4. The normal operation of said liquid crystal display element can be confirmed through said window by applying to said liquid crystal display element a voltage which is produced in said piezoelectric unit when it is flexed by said pressurizing mechanism.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline composition comprising a nematic liquid crystalline substance and as an additive, a 1,8-diazo-bicyclo(5,4,0) undecene-7 alkyl ammonium salt of benzoic acid optionally having a substituent at the paraposition.

Abstract: A nematic liquid crystal composition comprising (I) 4-n-valeryloxy-4'-cyanobiphenyl, (II) 4-n-caproyloxy-4'-cyanobiphenyl and (III) 4'-cyanophenyl-4-n-heptylbenzoate, and either (IV) 4'-cyanophenyl-4-n-butylbenzoate or (V) 4'-cyanophenyl-4-n-nonylbenzoate, said composition having a crystal-nematic transition temperature of -40.degree. to -20.degree. C and a nematic-isotropic transition temperature of 50.degree. to 65.degree. C.