Abstract: It is an object to provide an L-ascorbic acid derivative which can keep the L-ascorbic acid stable to heat and light and thus has a long shelf life, which is high in permeability into the skin, which can be quickly hydrolyzed by phosphatase, an enzyme that is ubiquitous in vivo, and which exhibits physiological activities that are inherent to L-ascorbic acid and beneficial to health, a method for producing such an L-ascorbic acid derivative, and a skin-whitening cosmetic material. There is provided an ascorbic acid derivative comprising an L-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate ester or a salt thereof wherein the phosphate ester has a branched alkyl group, the L-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate ester being of formula [13].

Abstract: It is an object to provide an L-ascorbic acid derivative which can keep the L-ascorbic acid stable to heat and light and thus has a long shelf life, which is high in permeability into the skin, which can be quickly hydrolyzed by phosphatase, an enzyme that is ubiquitous in vivo, and which exhibits physiological activities that are inherent to L-ascorbic acid and beneficial to health, a method for producing such an L-ascorbic acid derivative, and a skin-whitening cosmetic material. There is provided an ascorbic acid derivative comprising an L-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate ester or a salt thereof wherein the phosphate ester has a branched alkyl group, the L-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate ester being of formula [13].

Abstract: A thermosensitive recording method which comprises heat-treating compounds A and B constituting a coloring matter resulting in sublimation or evaporation to thereby bring these two compounds into contact with each other on a recording sheet, resulting in a color image on the recording sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat-sensitive recording material comprising a base sheet and a heat-sensitive record layer formed over the base sheet and comprising a colorless or pale-colored basic dye and a color developing material capable of forming a color when contacted with the dye, the heat-sensitive recording material being characterized in that the heat-sensitive record layer contains as the color developing material at least one multi-valent metal salt of a halophthalic acid derivative represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a divalent saturated or unsaturated C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 aliphatic hydrocarbon group which may optionally have a hydroxyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 acyloxy or phenyl group as a substituent or a divalent saturated or unsaturated C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing one or two ether bonds, X is a halogen atom and n is an integer of 1-4.

Abstract: New biphenyl compounds and a process for producing them are provided. These new compounds have an acyloxy group in the 2- or 4-position of the biphenyl and an acyl hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkenyl or vinyl group in the 4'-position of the biphenyl or, alternatively a hydroxyl group in the 2- or 4-position of the biphenyl and an acyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkenyl or vinyl group in the 4'-position of the biphenyl. These compounds can be produced easily from 2- or 4-acyloxybiphenyl compounds.

Abstract: A process for producing 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl which comprises subjecting to alkali fusion 1 mol of 4,4'-diphenyldisulfonic acid and/or potassium 4,4'-diphenyldisulfonate together with 4 to 10 mol of potassium hydroxide and 0.1 to 2 mol of potassium sulfate. Alternatively, the process may comprise subjecting to alkali fusion 4,4'-diphenyldisulfonic acid in the presence of potassium hydroxide, controlling to 20 to 25% the potassium hydroxide concentration in the reaction mixture, and separating dipotassium salt of 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl.

Abstract: A process for producing 4,4'-diphenyldisulfonic acid is disclosed, which comprises the steps of adding a sulfonating agent to molten diphenyl at a temperature within a range of 130.degree. to 145.degree. C., and when crystallization commences of 4,4'-diphenyldisulfonic acid within such temperature range, cooling the reaction mixture to a temperature within a range of 115.degree. to 127.degree. C., and letting the disulfonation reaction complete while the reaction mixture is maintained within the cooled temperature range. A process for producing monopotassium 4,4'-diphenyldisulfonate is also disclosed, in which steps are taken of adding a sulfonating agent to diphenyl, then controlling the sulfuric acid concentration to 45 to 55%, and while the reaction mixture is heated to at least 140.degree. C., adding at least a stoichiometric amount of a potassium salt of an inorganic acid.

Abstract: A process for separating 1,6-naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonic acid or 2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic acid selectively from reaction mixtures obtained by disulfonation of naphthalene under different reaction conditions is disclosed. For example, a particular disulfonation reaction of naphthalene is carried out which favors the formation of a particular isomer. This reaction mixture is diluted with water to adjust the sulfuric acid concentration to 35 to 90% by weight and the temperature is maintained at 0.degree. to 80.degree. C.; 1,6-naphthalene-disulfonic acid is selectively separated at high purity.

Abstract: A process for preparing o-phenylphenol by dehydrogenating at least one of cyclohexanone dimer and o-cyclohexylphenol in the presence of a catalyst, characterized in that the catalyst comprises a metal oxide carrier, and at least one of alkali metal salts of sulfur-oxygen acids and at least one of platinum and palladium supported by the carrier.

Abstract: An oil-filled electrical device comprising a casing, an electrical device element in the casing and an insulating oil consisting essentially of one or more 2-diphenylalkylether having the structural formula of ##SPC1##Wherein R is the alkyl group expressed as C.sub.n H.sub.2n.sub.+1 wherein R is 1.ltoreq.n423.8.