Abstract: Microcapsules of a microcapsule formed of a polyurea shell wall and an encapsulated ingredient or ingredients enclosed within the wall, the wall comprising at least one oligomeric acetal having the moiety in which R is (a) a moiety containing a chain of from 5 to about 40 optionally substituted carbon atoms, (b) a moiety containing a chain of from 4 to about 40 carbon atoms and one or more internally linked oxygen or sulfur atoms or —NH-groups, or (c) an optionally substituted ethylene or propylene moiety Z is (a) an optionally substituted phenyl group, (b) an optionally substituted C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl or C5-C8 cycloalkenyl group, or (c) benzoyl, and n is 1 if R is (a) or (b), or is 2-20 if R is (c).

Abstract: A novel microcapsule comprising a liquid core material which is substantially insoluble in water and enclosed within a solid permeable shell of a polymer resin containing disulfide linkages is disclosed. The process for producing such microcapsules is likewise disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound of formula (IV) wherein R1 is C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 haloalkyl, benzyl, C3-6 alkenyl or C3-6 alkyny, (provided that the &agr;-carbon atom of R1 is neither unsaturated nor substituted with halogen), which comprises reacting a compound of formula (III) with a source of hydroxylamine in the presence of an acid. Compounds of formula (IV) are agrochemical intermediates.