Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1, by reaction of a compound of formula (II) wherein R3 is C1-C8alkyl or C3-C6cycloalkyl and R4 and R05 are as defined for formula (I), with a compound of formula (III) wherein R, R1, R2 and X1, are as defined for formula (I) in claim 1, in an inert solvent in the presence of a proton source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I), wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1, by reacting a compound of formula (II), with a bromine or chlorine source to form a compound of formula (III), wherein X is chlorine or bromine; reacting that compound with water to form the compound of formula (IV), converting that compound, using a compound of formula (V), wherein M+ is the hydrogen cation or an alkali metal ion, alkaline earth metal ion or ammonium ion, into the compound of formula (VI), and treating that compound with a cyanide source in the presence of a base.

Abstract: A proportional pressure control valve which includes an electric first stage pilot having a single outlet port configured to provide a variable pressurized hydraulic fluid to the outlet port and at a pressure that is proportional to an electric input signal and which is variable between first and second values and further includes a second stage hydraulic valve which has a spool reciprocally moveable in a bore between first and second positions indicative of a full ON and a full OFF condition. A fluid isolation chamber is oriented in the bore and in a region between a control port and a tank port in the fluid pathway therebetween. The interior wall of the bore and the first and second diameter regions on the spool are configured to always provide a controlled volume fluid flow rate between the control port and the fluid isolation chamber.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 3,5-dichloropyridine comprising reacting a trichloropyridine, a tetrachloropyridine or pentachloropyridine with zinc metal, in the presence of an acidic compound and at a temperature in the range 50-120° C.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound of formula (IV), wherein R1 is C1-4alkyl, CH2(C1-3haloalkyl), benzyl, CH2(C2-5akenyl or CH2(C2-5alkynyl), which comprises reducing a compound of formula (III). Compounds of formula (IV) are agrochemical intermediates.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound of formula (IV) wherein R1 is C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 haloalkyl, benzyl, C3-6 alkenyl or C3-6 alkyny, (provided that the &agr;-carbon atom of R1 is neither unsaturated nor substituted with halogen), which comprises reacting a compound of formula (III) with a source of hydroxylamine in the presence of an acid. Compounds of formula (IV) are agrochemical intermediates.

Abstract: 5-Chloro-2-(4,4-difluorobutylthio)thiazole is prepared from 2-mercaptotriazole by a multistep process involving S-alkylation, chlorination and dehydrochlorination and is converted by oxidation to the corresponding sulfone which is useful as an agricultural nematicide.

Abstract: The present invention provides the novel chlorofluorohydrocarbon 1,1-difluoro-1,4-dichlorobutane, and a process for its preparation comprising reacting 1,1,1,4-tetrachlorobutane or 1,1,4-trichlorobut-1-ene with hydrogen fluoride in the liquid or vapor phase. The product has useful solvent properties and is also useful in synthetic chemistry for the introduction of fluorocarbon functionality.

Abstract: 5-Chloro-2-(4,4-difluorobutenylthio)thiazole is prepared from 2-mercaptothiazole by a multistep process involving S-alkylation, chlorination and dehydrochlorination and is converted by oxidation to the corresponding sulfone which is useful as an agricultural nematicide.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved process for preparing halogenated alcohols of the formula CX1X2X3CH(OH)CH:C(CH3)2 (I, X1, X2, X3=halo) by reacting CX1X2X3H with 3-methylbut-2-en-1-al in the presence of a strong base and an inert solvent.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 4,4,4-trichlorobutan-1-ol which comprises reacting allyl alcohol with chloroform in the presence of a radical initiator. Preferably the allyl alcohol is added incrementally to the chloroform over the period of the reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides the novel chlorofluorohydrocarbon 1,1-difluoro-1,4-dichlorobutane, and a process for its preparation by reacting 1,1,1,4-tetrachlorobutane with hydrogen fluoride in the liquid phase. The product has useful solvent properties and is also useful in synthetic chemistry for the introduction of fluorocarbon functionality.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound of formula (I), ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is optionally substituted alkyl or phenyl, R.sup.2 is COOH, and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently selected from hydrogen, halo, haloalkyl, nitro, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy or alkoxyalkoxy; which process comprises oxidising a compound of formula (II) ##STR2## where R.sup.1, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are as defined in relation to formula (I) and R.sup.5 is H, halo or C.sub.1-4 alkyl with sodium hypochlorite or sodium chlorite in the presence of a catalytic amount of a ruthenium or palladium compound and a phase transfer catalyst in an organic solvent at a pH of 7-11.

Abstract: The invention provides the novel compound 4,4,4-trichlorobutyl methanesufonate, useful as an intermediate in the production of certain agricultural pesticides, and a process for its manufacture.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compounds of formula:CF.sub.3 --CXCl--CH(OH)CH.sub.2 --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CO.sub.2 R(I)where X represents chloro or bromo and R represents hydrogen or alkyl of up to 4 carbon atoms, processes for preparing them and their use as intermediates in the preparation of insecticidal cyclopropane derivatives. Also provided are novel compounds of formula:BrCH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CO.sub.2 R(IV)wherein R represents alkyl of up to 4 carbon atoms, useful as intermediates in the preparation of the compounds of formula I.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compounds of formula:CF.sub.3 --CXCl--CH(OH)CH.sub.2 --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CO.sub.2 R(I)where X represents chloro or bromo and R represents hydrogen or alkyl of up to 4 carbon atoms, processes for preparing them and their use as intermediates in the preparation of insecticidal cyclopropane derivatives. Also provided are novel compounds of formula:BrCH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CO.sub.2 R(IV)wherein R represents alkyl of up to 4 carbon atoms, useful as intermediates in the preparation of the compounds of formula I.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 4,4,4-trichlorobutyl acetate comprising reacting allyl acetate with chloroform in the presence of a radical initiator, characterized by the incremental addition of the allyl acetate to the chloroform.

Abstract: A process for preparing 4,6-dichloropyrimidine comprising treating 4,6-dihydroxy-pyrimidine with phosgene in the presence of a suitable base and optionally in the presence of a solvent.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the preparation of a lower alkyl ester of 3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-en-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid which comprises the steps of(a) reacting a compound of formula:CF.sub.3 --CXCl--CH(OH)--CH.dbd.C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 (I)wherein X is chloro or bromo, with a tri-lower-alkyl orthoacetate containing up to four carbon atoms in each alkyl groups in the presence of at least a catalytic amount of an acid catalyst at an elevated temperature for a sufficient time to obtain a compound of formula:CF.sub.3 --CXCl--CH.dbd.CH--C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 R (III)wherein R is an alkyl group containing up to four carbon atoms, and(b) treating said compound of formula (III) with at least one molar equivalent of a base to obtain said alkyl ester of 3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-en-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid. The products are useful as intermediates for insecticides.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved process for the preparation of a lower alkyl ester of 3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-en-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid in which the corresponding lower alkyl ester of a carboxylic acid selected from 6-bromo-6-chloro-3,3-dimethyl-7,7,7-trifluorohept-2-enoic acid and 6,6-dichloro-3,3-dimethyl-7,7,7-trifluorohept-2-enoic acid is treated with an alkali metal lower alkoxylate in the presence of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent under conditions under which the lower alcohol of the alkoxylate is removed from the reaction mixture by distillation with the aromatic solvent. The products are useful as intermediates in the manufacture of pyrethroid insecticides.