Abstract: Compounds of the formula I ##STR1## wherein R denotes an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, cycloaliphatic-aliphatic or araliphatic radical having 2 or more carbon atoms, and wherein one of the groups R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represents hydrogen or an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic or aromatic radical, another one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is hydrogen or, in the case of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, is hydroxy, and the remaining one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is hydrogen, or wherein R denotes methyl, R.sub.1 denotes hydrogen or hydroxy, R.sub.2 denotes an aromatic radical and R.sub.3 represents hydrogen, and their salts have GABA.sub.B -antagonistic properties and can be used as GABA.sub.B -antagonists. They are obtained when in a compound of formula II ##STR2## in which R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 have their previous significances, Z represents --NH.sub.2 and R.sup.4 denotes a hydroxy-protective group R.sup.5 or, when R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 denote hydrogen and R.sup.

Abstract: The invention relates to unsaturated amino acids of the formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 represents hydroxy or etherified hydroxy, R.sup.2 represents hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxy or etherified hydroxy, R.sup.3 represents hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, lower alkoxyalkyl, arylalkyl, lower alkenyl, halogen or aryl, R.sup.4 represents hydrogen, alkyl or aryl, R.sup.5 represents hydrogen or alkyl, R.sup.6 represents carboxy or esterified or amidated carboxy, R.sup.7 represents amino or amino substituted by alkyl or acyl, A represents unsubstituted or alkyl-substituted .alpha.,.omega.-alkylene having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or represents a bond, and B represents methylene or a bond, with the proviso that A is other than a bond when B represents a bond, and salts thereof. They can be manufactured, for example, in accordance with the Michaelis-Arbuzov reaction and can be used as pharmacologically active substances.

Abstract: The treatment of isomeric mixtures of cis/trans -3-(2,2-dihalo-3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid esters with excess base at elevated temperatures hydrolyzes the ester, dehydrohalogenates the side chain, and thereafter selectively converts the resulting unsaturated side chain of the corresponding trans-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid to an acetyl byproduct, from which may be readily separated and recovered an enriched concentration of the desired cis-2-halo-1-propenylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid, together with minor amounts of the corresponding transacid.

Abstract: Novel phosphonic acid-containing compounds such as (2-(4-ethenylphenyl)ethenyl)-phosphonic acid and esters thereof are disclosed. A method of preparation of the phosphonic acids comprising contacting a diethylenically unsaturated aromatic compound and phosphorus pentachloride in the presence of sulfur dioxide is also disclosed.The compounds of this invention are useful as monomers for the preparation of polymers having enhanced anti-corrosive properties.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for the preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine by the oxidation of N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid. In the process N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid is oxidized with a peroxide to form an intermediate, N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid-N-oxide, and thereafter, adding a metabisulfite compound in the presence of a molybdenum compound to convert the intermediate to N-phosphonomethylglycine.

Abstract: Octadienols are prepared by reacting 1,3-butadiene with water in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a palladium compound, a triorganophosphorus compound and carbon dioxide and in the additional presence of a triorganophosphine oxide.

Abstract: In the catalytic hydrogenation of fatty acid methyl ester mixtures, the mixtures are continuously reacted with hydrogen under pressures of from 100 to 300 bar and at temperatures of from 160.degree. to 270.degree. C. with molar ratios or hydrogen to fatty acid methyl ester mixture of from 10:1 to 500:1. The reaction is carried out over catalysts which contain from 30 to 40% by weight copper, from 23 to 30% by weight chromium, from 1 to 10% by weight manganese, from 1 to 10% by weight silicon and from 1 to 7% by weight barium (% by weight, based in each case on total weight of the oxidic catalyst) and, if desired, other transition metals in the form of their oxides. After calcination of the components, the catalyst is converted into shaped particulate and/or granulated elements with from 1 to 10% by weight, based on oxidic catalyst, of at least one binder in addition to 1 to 10% by weight graphite. The catalyst is activated with hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing gas mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a simplified process for converting ethers into their corresponding alcohols comprising forming an aqueous mixture of the ether and at least about 50% by weight water and heating the mixture under autogeneous pressure at a temperature of from about 250.degree. to 450.degree. C., more preferably from about 250.degree. C. up to the critical temperature of water which is about 374.degree. C. Heating is continued for a period of time sufficient to convert at least about 20% by weight of the ether, usually from about 5 up to about 120 minutes, depending on temperature and the amount of water present, and the identity of the starting ether feedstock.The process may be characterized as an aquathermolysis reaction wherein the reaction proceeds in water primarily through ionic routes rather than through free radical routes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in a process for polymerizing 1,3-butadiene selectively to form relatively low molecular weight hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene oligomers in the presence of an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide which comprises the use of a glycol ether solvent to produce butadiene oligomers having a high degree of OH functionality and suppression of formation of solid or gel-type insoluble rubber by-products.

Abstract: The invention relates to rhodium complexes of the formula[A--O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n --A].sup.2+ 2X.sup.- (Ia)and[A--O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.m --CH.sub.3 ].sup.+ X.sup.-(Ib)in whichn=5-1,000,m=5-250,X.sup.- denotes a tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate or per-chlorate anion,A denotes a radical of the formula ##STR1## (en).sub.2 denotes two molecules of a monoolefin or one molecule of a diolefinAr denotes phenyl or phenyl which is substituted by one or two alkyl groups having 1 or 2 carbon atoms andR.sup.1 denotes an arylene or alkylene bridge,and their use for the preparation of L-phosphinothricin and its derivatives by enantioselective catalytic hydrogenation of 2,3-dehydrophosphinothricin (derivatives).

Abstract: A process is provided for producing N-phosphonomethylglycine by the oxidation of N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid with a peroxide to form an intermediate N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid-N-oxide. Thereafter, the N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid-N-oxide is converted to N-phosphonomethylglycine by adding a catalytic amount of a metal selected from the group consisting of iron, zinc, aluminum, vanadium and copper, or a compound selected from the group consisting of water-soluble vanadium compounds, ferrous salts and cuprous salts.

Abstract: Novel 1,1,2-trifluorodienes, which have a minimum of seven carbon atoms and may contain in their molecule a phenylene or a methylphenylene moiety, are useful monomers, that can be polymerized in the presence of either free radical or coordination catalysts and can undergo selective reactions such, as for example, epoxidation of the vinyl (nonfluorinated) double bond. The resulting perfluorovinyl epoxy compounds also are useful monomers, which can undergo polymerization to useful materials.

Abstract: N-Acyl-aminomethylphosphonic acids represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of methyl and aryl are prepared by:(a) bringing together under substantially anhydrous reaction conditions an amide represented by the formula ##STR2## wherein R is as defined above and paraformaldehyde; and thereafter, (b) adding phosphorous trihalide to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.4 is a group which can be hydrogenolyzed, R and R.sup.1 are alkyl groups, X.sup.- is an HSO.sub.4.sup.-, Cl.sup.- or R.sup.7 SO.sub.3.sup.- anion and to a process for the preparation of the compounds of formula (I) by the hydrolysis of the compounds of formula (II): ##STR2## in which R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are alkyl groups linked to the oxygen via a secondary carbon, using sulphuric or hydrochloric acid. The invention also relates to the use of compounds of formula (I) for the preparation of herbicide by the hydrogenolysis of the compounds of formula (I).

Abstract: N-phosphonomethyl glycine is prepared by the reaction of glycine with an aqueous-alcoholic solution of formaldehyde in the presence of a base selected from the group consisting of alkali and alkaline-earth metal hydroxides, the reaction of the solution thus obtained with a trialkylphosphite and hydrolysis in an aqueous medium, with recovery of the N-phosphonomethyl glycine by crystallization.

Abstract: The new compound diallyl selenide, or 3.3'-bis(1-propene)selenide, having the formula(CH.sub.2 .dbd.CH--CH.sub.2).sub.2 Se.

Abstract: A process of producing 1,4-butanediol by catalytically hydrogenating maleic acid anhydride and/or succinic acid anhydride in a gas phase and in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: Novel compounds of formula (I)Ar--(L--Ar').sub.q --(X).sub.k --(Y).sub.p --Q (I)wherein:k, p and q are independently 0 or 1;Ar represents either:(i) naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, pyridyl or(ii) phenyl, optionally substituted,L is selected from --(CH.sub.2).sub.r -- (where r is 1-4), --O--, --CH.sub.2 O--, --CH.sub.2 S--, --OCH.sub.2 --, --CONH--, --NHCO--, --CO-- and --CH.sub.2 NH--, and,Ar' represents phenylene, thienylene or pyridylene optionally substituted,X represents oxygen, sulphur or carbonyl,Y is C.sub.1-10 alkylene or C.sub.1-10 alkenylene;Q represents a non-cyclic moiety selected from groups of formula ##STR1## in which one of m and n is 0 and the other is 1, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is selected from hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, amino, C.sub.1-4 alkylamino, di-C.sub.1-4 alkylamino, C.sub.5-7 cycloalkylamino, C.sub.5-7 cycloalkyl (C.sub.1-4 alkyl) amino, anilino, N-C.sub.

Abstract: A process for the production of butanediol from the hydrogenation of .gamma.-butyrolactone is provided. The process involves passing vaporized .gamma.-butyrolactone, water and hydrogen over a copper zinc catalyst. The incorporation of water with the .gamma.-butyrolactone and hydrogen results in increased productivity of butanediol.

Abstract: A process for preparing motor fuel grade alcohol wherein an ethanol fermentation reactor effluent is distilled to produce an overhead product comprising 10 to about 40 mole percent ethanol and a bottom product comprising the non-alcoholic components. The motor fuel grade alcohol is recovered in high yield from the ethanol/water overhead product mixture in a liquid phase cyclic selective adsorption process which comprises a plurality of adsorption columns operated in cycle in a predetermined time sequence, each adsorption column containing an adsorbent, wherein each respective adsorption column undergoes successive steps of adsorption, desorption and rinsing.