Abstract: A process for the production of squaric acid by halogenation either of pure 3-acetoxy-2-cyclobuten-1-one or of a distillation residue of diketene production containing 3-acetoxy-2-cyclobuten-1-one to a cyclobutenone of formula: ##STR1## and then hydrolysis of these cyclobutenones to squaric acid. The halogenated cyclobutenones are intermediate products in the process.

Abstract: 3-Hydroxy-2-cyclobuten-1-one salts of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an ammonium group of the general formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different in meaning and each is a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group or R is an alkali metal atom. The salts according for formula I are obtained by the reaction of pure 3-acetoxy-2-cyclobuten-1-one, or 1,3-cyclobutanedione or a distillation residue of the diketene production containing 3-acetoxy-2-cyclobuten-1-one, with a base. The base can be an amine of the general formula: ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 have the above-mentioned meaning, or an alkali metal alcoholate or an alkali metal hydroxide. The salts according to formula I are suitable for the production of squaric acid, by their being halogenated in a first step and then being hydrolyzed to squaric acid in a second step.

Abstract: 3-Hydroxy-2-cyclobuten-1-one salts of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an ammonium group of the general formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different in meaning and each is a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group or R is an alkali metal atom. The salts according for formula I are obtained by the reaction of pure 3-acetoxy-2-cyclobuten-1-one, or 1,3-cyclobutanedione or a distillation residue of the diketene production containing 3-acetoxy-2-cyclobuten-1-one, with a base. The base can be an amine of the general formula: ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 have the above-mentioned meaning, or an alkali metal alcoholate or an alkali metal hydroxide. The salts according to formula I are suitable for the production of squaric acid, by their being halogenated in a first step and then being hydrolyzed to squaric acid in a second step.

Abstract: 3-Hydroxy-2-cyclobuten-1-one salts of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an ammonium group of the general formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different in meaning and each is a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group or R is an alkali metal atom. The salts according for formula I are obtained by the reaction of pure 3-acetoxy-2-cyclobuten-1-one, or 1,3-cyclobutanedione or a distillation residue of the diketene production containing 3-acetoxy-2-cyclobuten-1-one, with a base. The base can be an amine of the general formula: ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 , and R.sub.3 have the above-mentioned meaning, or an alkali metal alcoholate or an alkali metal hydroxide. The salts according to formula I are suitable for the production of squaric acid, by their being halogenated in a first step and then being hydrolyzed to squaric acid in a second step.

Abstract: Process for the production of 2-chloroacetoacetic acid amides. Diketene is converted at a temperature of +30.degree. to -40.degree. C. with the help of hydrogen chloride into acetoacetic acid chloride. Chlorine is introduced into the mixture at a temperature of +30.degree. to -40.degree. C., whereby 2-chloroacetoacetic acid chloride is formed. The latter is converted into the corresponding amide at a temperature of +50.degree. to -40.degree. C. by reaction with a N-compound having the formula: ##STR1## wherein (i) R=R'=H, or(ii) R=R'=alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkyl aryl, substituted alkyl aryl, alkoxy aryl, substituted alkoxy aryl, alkoxy alkyl or substituted alkoxy alky, or(iii) R=H, and R'=alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkyl aryl, substituted alkyl aryl, alkoxy aryl, substituted alkoxy aryl, alkoxy alkyl or substituted alkoxy alkyl.

Abstract: A process for the production of a monohaloacetylhalide characterized in that a ketene is reacted with a halogen in the presence of a diester of phosphonic acid of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different alkyl or aryl, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different alkyl or aryl and R.sub.3 is --COOR or --CH.sub.2 COOR, wherein R is alkyl or aryl. The diester is a solvent which impedes or prevents the formation of polyhaloacylhalides and which keeps the formation of acylhalides to a minimum.

Abstract: A process for the trichloroacetyl of orotic acid which comprises (a) converting trichloroacetyl chloride to .gamma., .gamma., .gamma.-trichloroacetoacetyl chloride with ketene, (b) adding reaction mixture (a) to urea dissolved in a polar organic solvent, e.g., acetic acid, 6-trichloromethyluracil being produced, (c) separating the 6-trichloromethyluracil from reaction mixture (b), and (d) hydrolyzing the 6-trichloromethyluracil to orotic acid.

Abstract: Transverse flux heating of strip material is effected with a flux distribution having a low value near the margins of the strip and rising substantially uniformly inwardly from the margins to a central peak value for narrow strip or two peaks with a central lower flux region for wider strip. Constructions of pole pieces to achieve the required flux distribution are described.