Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the preparation of a thiazolecarboxylic acid chloride represented by the following general formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, or a lower alkyl group substituted by a halogen atom or lower alkoxy group, and R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, or a lower alkyl group substituted by a halogen atom or lower alkoxy group, which comprises reacting a thiazolecarboxylic acid represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 have the same meanings as defined with respect to formula (II), with phosgene or trichloromethyl chloroformate in the presence or absence of a catalyst.

Abstract: Alkylated dodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furans of the general formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical and each is hydrogen or methyl are prepared by reacting alkylated 2-hydroxydecahydronaphthalene-1-ethanol of the formula II ##STR2## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are as defined above, with a sulfonyl chloride in the presence of basic catalysts by performing the cyclization in the presence of concentrated aqueous alkali metal hydroxides and a phase transfer catalyst, preferably a tetra-substituted ammonium or phosphonium salt, the sulfonyl chloride used preferably comprising a sulfonyl chloride of the general formula IIIR.sub.3 -SO.sub.2 Clwhere R.sup.3 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 -alkyl or phenyl which may be substituted in the para position by methyl, chlorine, bromine or nitro.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## (where R.sup.1 -R.sup.5 are various conventional atoms or groups, m is 2 or 3 and R.sup.6 l is an optionally substituted alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl or heterocyclic-substituted alkyl group or --CH.sub.2 --CH.dbd.NOR.sup.7 where R.sup.7 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl or aralkyl) have insecticidal and acaricidal activities.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cysteamine-S-substituted compound involves reacting ethyleneimine or ethyleneimine derivatives with a thiosulfate or thiophosphate in the presence of a cation exchanger of a free type. Use of the cation exchanger of a free type in this reaction allows preparation of the cysteamine-S-substituted compound with an amazingly high purity in a high yield.

Abstract: The synthesis of 25-hydroxycholesterol from animal bile starting materials in which hyodeoxychloic acid or an ester thereof is converted to the 3.beta.-hydroxy-5-cholenic acid alkyl ester, and then converted to 3.beta.-hydroxy-25-cyano-5-cholene by a series of steps in which the sterol nucleus is stablized by use of a 3.alpha.,5.alpha.-bridge sometimes called an i-steroid configuration, and the carbon chain then extended from the carbon at the 24-position to a cyanide group at the 25-position. The compound so formed is subjected to a series of reactions by which it is transformed into 25-hydroxy-7-dehydrocholesterol which may then be irradiated with ultraviolet light to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. The invention discloses new and improved processes for preparing these end products and also the compounds formed as intermediates and processes for preparing these intermediates.