Abstract: A process for the preparation of a mixture principally comprising the(b) 1R-3R-.alpha.S+1S-3S-.alpha. and(d) 1R-3S-.alpha.S+1S-3R-.alpha.Renantiomers of the compound .alpha.-cyano-3-phenoxy-4-fluorobenzyl permethrate, comprising dissolving a mixture of all 8 stereoisomers of the compound .alpha.-cyano-3-phenoxy-4-fluorobenzyl permethrate in an alcohol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, adding a secondary or tertiary alkyl amine having 2-6 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety and allowing the mass to crystallize, whereby the desired mixture of enantiomers b) and d) crystallizes out of the solution.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a phenylglyocylic acid ester of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents alkyl,X represents halogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy or nitro, andn represents 0, 1, 2, or 3by contacting a benzoyl cyanide of the formula ##STR2## wherein X and n have the meanings stated above, in a sulphuric acid/water system in the presence of chloride ions at a temperature between 0.degree. and 70.degree. C. to form phenylglyoxylic acid amide and reacting the phenylglyoxylic acid amide without isolation with an alcohol of the formula R.sup.1 -OH, wherein R.sup.1 has the meaning stated above, optionally in the presence of a diluent, at a temperature between 40.degree. and 100.degree. C.

Abstract: In the preparation of 4-amino-6-tert.-butyl-3-alkylthio-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-ones of the formula ##STR1## wherein (a) pivaloyl cyanide of the formula(CH.sub.3).sub.3 C--CO--CNis converted to a derivative of trimethylpyruvic acid, (b) the derivative is condensed with thiocarbohydrazide of the formulaH.sub.2 N--NH--CS--NH--NH.sub.2to form 4-amino-6-tert.-butyl-3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one, and (c) that is alkylated to form the indicated end products, the improvement which comprises effecting (a) by reacting the pivaloyl cyanide with a strong anhydrous inorganic acid at about -50.degree. to +50.degree. C. thereby to form trimethylpyruvic acid amide. The derivative in (a) can be trimethylpyruvic acid amide or it may first be saponified to the free acid. The inorganic acid in (a) can be hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid in glacial acetic acid, or it can be concentrated sulphuric acid plus some chloride ion and followed by water. Trimethyl pyruvic acid amide is a new compound.