Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of 2,6-difluorobenzamide which comprises subjecting 2,6-difluorobenzonitrile to the action of a suitable hydrolysing microorganism or nitrilase extract therefrom; and Rhodococcus Sp. NCIB 12218 or a mutant thereof, suitable for use in the process.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling through sticky formations, such as chalk or marl, comprises a plurality of waterways for transporting drilling fluid and rock flour to the gauge of the bit. These waterways have in downstream direction gradually increasing cross-sectional areas A, the increase of size of said areas along the length of a waterway being at least substantially proportional to the squared radius r thereof from the central axis. In this manner the rock flour velocity remains equal or decreases in downstream direction in the waterways so that the risk of rock flour accumulation and compaction is reduced.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of N-benzoylcarbamates of general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group, a C.sub.1-4 alkoxy group or a trifluoromethyl group, R.sup.2 represents a halogen atom, a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group, a C.sub.1-4 alkoxy group or a trifluoromethyl group, R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a methyl group or a trifluoromethyl group, and R represents a C.sub.1-8 alkyl group optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms or a phenyl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen atoms and methyl groups, characterized by reacting an alkali metal salt of a benzamide of general formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.

Abstract: Diphenyl ether derivatives of formula II ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkyl or haloalkyl group, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, which may be the same or different, each independently represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or an alkyl, haloalkyl, nitro or cyano group, and R.sub.6 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, useful as intermediates in the preparation of diphenyl ether herbicides, are prepared by treating a compound of formula III ##STR2## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are as defined above with a dicarboxylic acid of formula R.sub.6 --CH(COOH).sub.2, where R.sub.6 is as defined above, in the presence of an organic base.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a 2,2-R.sub.1, R.sub.2 -1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid or salt thereof rich in either the R or S enantiomer which process comprisesa) preparing a solution which contains a non-racemic mixture of R and S enantiomer of a carboxylate of the formula ##STR1## and M.sup.n+ ions, wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each, independently, H or an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form an unsubstituted or substituted carbocyclic ring, and M is an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a group IIb metal, boron, or an ammonium, di- or tri-alkanolammonium ion having 2 or 3 carbon atoms or a tetra C.sub.1 -C.sub.16 alkyl ammonium ion, and n is the valency of M;b) reducing the solubility of the M.sup.n+ salt of compound (I); andc) separating the resulting crystals from the mother liquor.

Abstract: A method of growing a plant, which comprises growing the plant mat consisting of an open-cell polyurethane foam comprising from 10 to 50% by weight of ethyleneoxy residues and having a density in the range of from 15 to 30 kilograms per cubic meter and a mean number of cells per centimeter in the range of from 10 to 25, a polyurethane foam for use in the method, and a process for preparing the polyurethane foam.

Abstract: This invention provides benzamide compounds of general formula ##STR1## wherein each of A and B independently represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, X represents an oxygen or a sulphur atom, n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, each Z moiety independently represents a halogen atom or a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group, and Y represents a C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl group, a C.sub.1-6 haloalkoxy group, a group of formula ##STR2## wherein P is 0, 1 or 2, each Z' moiety independently represents a halogen atom or a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group, Y' represents a C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl, C.sub.1-6 haloalkoxy, nitro or cyano group and Q represents N or C-H, or, when n is 2 or 3, Y may also be a halogen atom; processes for their preparation; and their use as pesticides.

Abstract: A compound of the general formula ##STR1## in which X represents a chlorine or bromine atom, R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a C(1-6) alkyl group, a benzyl group or a phenyl group optionally substituted by a C(1-6) alkyl group, and R.sup.2 represents the group CN or the group COOR.sup.3 in which R.sup.3 represents a C(1-6) alkyl group, a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I), and the use of a compound of formula (I) in the preparation of a compound of the general formula. ##STR2## in which R.sup.1 is as defined above and R.sup.4 represents an amino group or a hydroxyl group.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of fungicidally active cyclopentene derivatives of the general formula ##STR1## cyclopentane derivatives of the general formula ##STR2## and cyclohexane derivatives of the general formula ##STR3## in which n, R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.5, X and Y are as herein defined. Compounds of formula II and III are also provided which are useful as intermediates in the preparation of certain fungicidally active cyclopentane derivatives.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for obtaining a second micro-organism by derivation from a first micro-organism, each micro-organism having the capability of producing an extra-cellular product when grown in the presence of a carbon-containing substrate, and the substrate uptake system of the first micro-organism being limiting for the production of the extra-cellular product, which comprises the steps of growing the first micro-organism under glucose limitation, and isolating the second micro-organism in which the glucose uptake system is at least partially derepressed, which process may further comprise the additional steps of growing the isolated second micro-organism and recovering the extra-cellular product; Agrobacterium radiobacter NCIB 40018, and its use for preparing a heteropolysaccharide.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of lubricating base oils wherein a hydrocarbon feedstock is catalytically treated in the presence of hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure and wherein at least part of a heavy fraction of the material obtained is subjected to dewaxing, in which process a hydrocarbon feedstock is used containing flashed distillate produced via a residue conversion process.

Abstract: This invention relates to 1-dimethylcarbamoyl-3-substituted-5-substituted-1H-1,2,4-triazoles of the formula ##STR1## wherein the substituents are as defined herein, compositions containing those compounds and methods of use.

Abstract: Novel herbicidal compounds of the general formula ##STR1## in which X represents a phenyl group substituted in the 2-position and optionally substituted in one or more of the 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-positions, the 2-substituent being a cyano group, or a group of the general formula CQNR.sup.1 R.sup.2 or COQR.sup.3 where Q represents an oxygen or sulphur atom and each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl or phenalkyl group, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 jointly represent a hydrocarbon chain;Y represents an optionally substituted phenyl group; L represents an oxygen or sulphur atom; andZ represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl or phenalkyl group;and salts of such compounds.

Abstract: The R-enantiomer of a compound of formula I: ##STR1## where Z is an optionally substituted cyclic organic moiety and C* represents an optically active carbon atom, may be prepared by supplying a substrate of formula II ##STR2## to a culture of a microorganism capable of oxidation of compound II into the R-enantiomer of I.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of ibuprofen enriched in R isomer, which comprises subjecting an ester of ibuprofen, to the action of a micro-organism or substances derived thereof, that will stereoselectively hydrolyse the ester to form ibuprofen predominantly having R configuration.

Abstract: A block copolymer composition is provided comprising:(1) 10-60% by weight of a block copolymer [(A--B).sub.11 ].sub.m --Y.sub.1(2) 20-90% by weight of a block copolymer [(A--B).sub.12 ].sub.n --Y.sub.2, and(3) 0-50% by weight of a block copolymer (A--B.sub.13,in which A represents a vinyl aromatic polymer block having a molecular weight of 10,000-30,000 wherein the vinyl aromatic compound is selected from the group consisting of styrene, alkyl substituted styrene and a vinyl naphtalene, B.sub.1 a conjugated diene polymer block having a molecular weight of 25,000-100,000, B.sub.2 a conjugated diene polymer block having a molecular weight at least 1.2 times as high as that of B.sub.1 wherein the conjugated diene compound of B.sub.1 and B.sub.2 is a conjugated diene having four to eight carbon atoms per molecule, Y.sub.1 and Y.sub.2 respectively represent a halogenated, tetravalent silicon compound and a halogenated, tetravalent stannic compound and 11=1-3, m=2-4, 12=1-6, n=2-4 and 13=1-6.

Abstract: A block copolymer composition comprising40-85% by weight of a block copolymer A.sub.1 -B.sub.1 from an aromatic vinyl compound and a conjugated diene, respectively, A.sub.1 being <20% by weight of (A.sub.1 +B.sub.1), A.sub.1 and B.sub.1 having a molecular weight >12,000 and >150,000, respectively, and15-60% by weight of a block copolymer A.sub.2 -B.sub.2 -A.sub.3 from an aromatic vinyl compound, a conjugated diene and aromatic vinyl compound, respectively, A.sub.2 +A.sub.3 being >20% by weight of A.sub.2 +B.sub.2 +A.sub.3, A.sub.2 and A.sub.3 having a molecular weight >12,000 and(molecular weight of B.sub.2).ltoreq.(molecular weight of B.sub.1)/1.5. an adhesive composition comprising100 parts by weight (pbw) of said block copolymer composition, 20-300 pbw of a tackifying resin, and0-200 pbw of a softener, anda process for the preparation of said adhesive composition by mixing the components in question.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of stable interpenetrating polymer blend networks is provided, comprising the preparation of a gel of a poly(alkylene) polymer by dissolving it in a mixture of one or more organic solvents and one or more vinyl aromatic monomers, optionally mixed with a compatible monomer, cooling this solution to a temperature of at most 80.degree. C., adding of a radical forming initiator for the polymerization of the vinyl aromatic monomer(s), homogenizig the solution, cooling the solution to a temperature to obtain gelation of the polyalkylene polymer in the solvent mixture, followed by heating the obtained gel to a temperature of at least 80.degree. C. and subsequently polymerization of the vinyl aromatic monomer(s) in bulk or suspending the heated solution in a vigorously stirred aqueous medium of a lower temperature to obtain gelation and polymerizing the suspended gel into polymer blend beads, stable interpenetrating polymer blend networks and intermediate gel used therewith.

Abstract: A process is provided for the enrichment in R isomer of an aryloxypropioic acid ester and for the stereoselective hydrolysis of an aryloxypropionic acid ester to form the corresponding aryloxypropionic acid in predominantly S configuration which comprises subjecting an aryloxypropionic acid ester of formula I ##STR1## wherein A is an ester residue and preferably an alkyl group, optionally substituted or branched, wherein R' is an optionally substituted aryl or heterocyclic ring system, containing in addition to carbon atoms one or more atoms selected from nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen, this ring system being optionally substituted and wherein B and D are for example a hydrogen or a halogen atom, to the action of a microorganism or substance derived thereof capable of stereoselective hydrolysis of the COOA group to form the corresponding carboxylic acid predominantly is S configuration.

Abstract: The invention provides cyclopentane derivatives of the general formula ##STR1## in which n represents an integer from 0 to 5, each R represents a halogen atom, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl, alkanoyl, alkythio, alkysulphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, carbamoyl, alkylamindo, cycloalkyl or phenyl group, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and R.sup.3 represents an optionally substituted alkyl or aryl group; and a process for their preparation. Compounds of formulae I, II and IV are useful as intermediates in the preparation of certain fungicidally active cyclopentane derivatives. Also, certain compounds of formula IV are themselves fungicidally active.