Abstract: There are disclosed herein novel sequestrant builders for use in detergent compositions having the general formula: ##EQU1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of H, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a hydroxylalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a COOM group; n is zero or 1; when n is 1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are selected from the group consisting of H, CH.sub.3 and CH.sub.2 COOM; when n is zero a double bond is present between C' and C"; X is COOM, OSO.sub.3 M or SO.sub.3 M; a is zero, 1 or 2; b is zero or 1; Z is selected from the group consisting of O, S, NH, NR.sub.4 wherein R.sub.4 is an alkyl group or hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms provided that when Z is O, a must be zero, X must be COOM and R.sub.1 cannot be H when R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are both H and b is zero; M is selected from the group consisting of H, alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium cations.

Abstract: The production of glycol monoesters of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acids of three or four carbon atoms and 1,2-diols of two to four carbon atoms by the reaction of acids with 1,2-alkylene oxides of two to four carbon atoms at elevated temperature in the presence of catalysts and polymerization initiators and also of molecular oxygen as an additional agent for suppressing polymerization.

Abstract: 2-(3-Substituted amino-2-hydroxypropoxy)-3-substituted pyrazine compounds optionally having substituents in the 5 and/or 6 positions, possessing .beta.-adrenergic blocking properties are described. The products are prepared by reaction of a 2-chloro(or hydroxy)pyrazine with a 5-hydroxy-methyl(or sulfonyloxymethyl)oxazolidine followed by acid hydrolysis.