Abstract: A process of preparing 2-trifluoromethylpropanol by vapor phase contact reaction between 2-trifluoromethylpropanal trimer and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst of which the principal component is reduced nickel. The hydrogenation reaction can easily be completed at about 30.degree.-150.degree. C. and at the atmospheric pressure. The starting material is hydrogenated nearly theoretically and with very high selectivity factor for 2-trifluoromethylpropanol.

Abstract: 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane-2-ol is obtained with high yield and high selectivity by vapor phase hydrogenolysis of a hydrate of hexafluoroacetone by using either a nickel catalyst or a palladium catalyst, or both. Hydrates of hexafluoroacetone are convenient to handling and storage because of being liquid or solid at room temperature and, moreover, can be refined to extremely high purity so that the catalyst exhibits long service life without suffering from poisoning. The hydrogenolysis reaction takes place at relatively low temperatures such as 40.degree.-200.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A carbon catalyst is activated by subjecting the carbon catalyst to a treatment of dry etching utilizing the activity of low-temperature plasma generated by electric discharge under vacuum.

Abstract: Crude hexafluoroacetone (HFA) containing chlorofluoroacetone(s) (CFA) as well as hydrogen halide(s) is purified by initially allowing the crude HFA to be absorbed in water to give an aqueous solution in which HFA and CFA are in the form of their respective hydrates, adding a calcium compound such as carbonate, hydroxide or oxide to the solution to neutralize the hydrogen halide(s), and decomposing the hydrated CFA by first adding an alkali metal compound such as K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 or Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 or an alkaline earth metal compound such as Ca(OH).sub.2, Ba(OH).sub.2, CaO or BaO to the solution and subsequently adding a mineral acid such as HCl or H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 to the same solution. This procedure results in complete decomposition of CFA without causing decomposition of HFA and spontaneous separation of the liquid reaction system into two layers, one of which is exclusively HFA hydrate. Accordingly it is easy to separate pure HFA hydrate from the decomposed impurities.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 2-thio-2-substituted-alkanoic acid derivative represented by the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein A, R, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are as defined hereinafter, which comprises condensing an aldehyde compound of the formula (V)A--CHO (V)wherein A is as defined hereinafter, with a haloform of the formula CHX.sub.3 wherein X is as defined hereinafter and a mercaptan compound of the formula (IV)R.sup.3 SH (IV)wherein R.sup.3 is as defined hereinafter, in the presence of a base to produce a 2-(arylthio or alkylthio)-2-substituted-acetic acid of the formula (III) ##STR2## wherein A and R.sup.3 are as defined hereinafter, and reacting the resulting 2-(arylthio or alkylthio)-2-substituted-acetic acid of the formula (III) with an alkylating agent represented by the formula (II)RZ (II)wherein R and Z are as defined hereinafter, in the presence of at least 2 mols of a base per mol of the 2-(arylthio or alkylthio)-2-substituted-acetic acid, to form the compound of the formula (I) wherein R.sup.

Abstract: Novel syntheses of dihalovinylcyclopropanecarboxylates, including potent insecticides, are described. The processes begin with the reaction between an alkenol and an orthoester to produce a .gamma.-unsaturated carboxylate, followed by the catalyzed addition of a carbon tetrahalide to the double bond and dehydrohalogenation to produce a cyclopropane derivative.

Abstract: A novel high permeability alloy which excels in wear resistance, yet possesses a high permeability, and is particularly suitable for use in magnetic recording heads. The composition of the wear resistant, high permeability alloy of this invention includes a small amount (0.001-1 wt %) of boron added to an alloy known by the name of "sendust" or a sendust-based alloy. The wear resistance of sendust or sendust-based alloys is greatly improved by the addition of boron.

Abstract: A process is described whereby esters of 3-(2,2,2-trichloroethyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid are prepared predominantly in their cis isomer form. The process comprises treating a 4,6,6,6-tetrachloro-3,3-dimethylhexanoate with an alkali metal tert-alkoxide under controlled conditions of temperature in the presence of a defined solvent-cosolvent mixture. The products of the process are intermediates in the production of pyrethroid insecticides.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing a 6,6,6-trihalo-3,3-dimethyl-4-hexenoate, intermediate in the production of pyrethroid insecticides, comprises dehydrohalogenating with an organic amine a 4,6,6,6-tetrahalo-3,3-dimethylhexanoate having a 4-halogen atom of higher atomic number than any of the 6-halogen atoms.

Abstract: The disclosed erosion-resistant and wear-resistant Ti-Ni-M.sub.1 alloy contains 42.5 to 54.5 atomic percent of titanium, M.sub.1 being at least one of Ta, Nb, W, Hf and Mn, the ratio of the atoms of M.sub.1 to the total atoms other than Ti being 1 to 55%.

Abstract: A new process for preparing 1,2-disubstituted-trans-olefins selectively by reacting specific 2-alkenyl phosphonic acid derivatives with metal hydrides, and a new process for producing the specific 2-alkenylphosphonic acid derivatives. The 1,2-disubstituted-trans-olefins are useful as precursors for synthesis of insect pheromones.