Abstract: Cyclobutanecarboxylic acid imides of the formula I ##STR1## wherein one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.6 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, and the other is methyl or ethyl, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently of one another are each hydrogen, fluorine or methyl, or R.sub.2 is acetoxy or chlorine while R.sub.3 is hydrogen, and wherein R.sub.4 is hydrogen, methyl or chlorine, and R.sub.5 is hydrogen or methyl, whereby R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together can also form an additional bond in the four-membered ring, are suitable for combating various fungi and have a particularly excellent action against Botrytis. They can be produced in an especially advantageous manner by photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition of alkenes or alkines with for example appropriately substituted maleic acid-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-imides.

Abstract: 3,3,5-Trichloroglutaric acid imide can be produced either by reacting a trichloroacetic acid alkyl ester, in the presence of a catalyst, with acrylonitrile to the corresponding 2,2,4-trichloro-4-cyanobutyric acid alkyl ester, converting this into the amide, and cyclizing the 2,2,4-trichloro-4-cyano-butanecarboxylic acid amide, in an aqueous acid medium, to the 3,3,5-trichloroglutaric acid imide; or by reacting trichloroacetonitrile, in the presence of a catalyst, to 2,2,4-trichloro-4-cyanobutyronitrile, and cyclizing this, in an aqueous acid medium, to 3,3,5-trichloroglutaric acid imide. The catalyst used for the addition reactions can be for example copper(I) chloride or copper(II) oxide. 3,3,5-Trichloroglutaric acid imide can be converted, by treatment with a dehydrating chlorinating agent, such as POCl.sub.3, into the known 2,3,5,6-tetrachloropyridine, which for its part is used for producing various active substances, particularly insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula I ##STR1## wherein X is chlorine or fluorine, are suitable for producing 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2'-chloro-3',3',3'-trifluoroprop-1'-en-1'-yl)- and 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2',3'-dichloro-3',3'-difluoroprop-1'-en-1'-yl)-cyclopropan ecarboxylic acids and insecticidally effective esters thereof (pyrethroids). The cyclobutanones (I) can be produced by the addition reaction of 2,4,4,5-tetrachloro-5,5-difluoro- or 2,4,4-trichloro-5,5,5-trifluoropentane-1-carboxylic acid chloride with isobutylene, and rearrangement of the resulting 2-chloro-2-(2',2',3'-trichloro-3',3'-difluoropropyl)- or 2-chloro-2-(2',2'-dichloro-3',3',3'-trifluoropropyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclobuta n-1-one in the presence of catalysts.

Abstract: The invention relates to cyclobutanedicarboxisoimides of the formula I ##STR1## wherein one of X and Y is oxygen and the other is ##STR2## each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.6 independently is methyl or ethyl, each of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently is hydrogen, fluorine or methyl, or R.sub.2 is aceto hydrogen or methyl, while R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together can also form an additional valency in the 4-membered cycloaliphatic ring. These compounds are suitable for controlling a variety of phytopathogenic fungi. They can be obtained by cyclizing the corresponding cyclobutanedicarboxylic acid monoamides in the temperature range from about -20.degree. to +100.degree. C., in the presence of dehydrating agents such as acetic anhydride or N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide.

Abstract: Cyclobutanecarboxylic acid imides of the formula I ##STR1## wherein one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.6 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, and the other is methyl or ethyl, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently of one another are each hydrogen, fluorine or methyl, or R.sub.2 is acetoxy or chlorine while R.sub.3 is hydrogen, and wherein R.sub.4 is hydrogen, methyl or chlorine, and R.sub.5 is hydrogen or methyl, whereby R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together can also form an additional bond in the four-membered ring, are suitable for combating various fungi and have a particularly excellent action against Botrytis. They can be produced in an especially advantageous manner by photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition of alkenes or alkynes with for example appropriately substituted maleic acid-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)imides.

Abstract: Novel tricyclic imidyl derivatives, for example those of the formula ##STR1## [n=1 or 2, Y=a bridge member and X=a functional group] are described. The novel tricyclic imidyl derivatives are suitable for the preparation of photocrosslinkable polymers by incorporation into existing polymer chains or by building up the polymer chain from tricyclic imidyl derivatives, according to the definition, with suitable functional groups X by polymerization or polycondensation. The photocrosslinkable polymers obtained by this means can be used, for example, to produce printing plates for the offset printing process and especially as photoresists.

Abstract: The preparation and use as an intermediate for making insecticides has been disclosed for a compound of the formula: ##STR1## in which X and Y are each chlorine or bromine.

Abstract: Dichlorovinylcyclobutanones of the formula ##STR1## wherein one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is methyl and the other is hydrogen or methyl, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together are alkylene having 2-4 C atoms, X is chlorine and Y is hydrogen, or X is hydrogen and Y is chlorine; processes for preparing them, and their use as intermediates for producing pesticidal compositions.

Abstract: Photo-crosslinkable, novel polymers with side tricyclic imidyl groups, for example those of the formula ##STR1## are described. The novel photo-crosslinkable polymers are suitable for photo-mechanical applications, for example for the production of printing plates for the offset printing process and especially as photo-resists. They have high UV absorption and ensure a high rate of crosslinking even without the addition of photosensitizers.

Abstract: Compounds of the formulae Ia, Ib, IIa and IIb ##STR1## are described, wherein R represents alkyl, haloalkyl, benzyl, naphthyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl and one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represents methyl and the other represents hydrogen or methyl, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together represent alkylene of 2 or 3 carbon atoms. The compound of the formulae Ia, Ib, IIa and IIb are valuable intermediates for the manufacture of pyrethroid pesticides or precursors thereof.

Abstract: A novel process for producing 2,3,5-trichloropyridine is described. The process comprises the addition reaction of trichloroacetaldehyde with acrylonitrile in the presence of a catalyst, and the subsequent cyclization of the intermediately formed 2,4,4-trichloro-4-formylbutyronitrile, with the splitting-off of water, to give 2,3,5-trichloropyridine.2,4,4-Trichloro-4-formylbutyronitrile occurring as an intermediate product in the process according to the invention is a novel compound. It can be produced by the addition reaction of trichloroacetaldehyde with acrylonitrile in the presence of a catalyst.2,3,5-Trichloropyridine can be used as intermediate for the production of herbicidal active substances.

Abstract: Novel tricyclic imidyl derivatives, for example those of the formula ##STR1## [n=1 or 2, Y=a bridge member and X=a functional group] are described. The novel tricyclic imidyl derivatives are suitable for the preparation of photocrosslinkable polymers by incorporation into existing polymer chains or by building up the polymer chain from tricyclic imidyl derivatives, according to the definition, with suitable functional groups X by polymerization or polycondensation. The photocrosslinkable polymers obtained by this means can be used, for example, to produce printing plates for the offset printing process and especially as photoresists.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2-(2',2',2',-trihalogenoethyl)-4-halogenocyclobutan-1-ones of the formula ##STR1## in which one of the radicals R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is methyl and the other is hydrogen or methyl, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together are an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and X and Y are each chlorine or bromine, comprising reacting a 2,4,4,4-tetrahalogenobutyric acid chloride in the presence of an organic base with an ethylene compound which is disubstituted in 1-position by the radicals R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: Novel 2-(2',2'-dihalovinyl)-cyclobutan-1-ones and 2-(2',240 ,2'-trihaloethyl)-cyclobutan-1-ones of the formula ##STR1## are disclosed, wherein R.sub.1 represents --CH.dbd.CX.sub.2 or --CH.sub.2 --CX.sub.3, and X in each case represents chlorine or bromine, one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 represents methyl and the other represents hydrogen or methyl, or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together represent an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. The invention relates also to the production and the use of the said cyclobutanones.

Abstract: Dihalovinylcyclopropanethiolic acid esters of the formula ##STR1## wherein X.sub.1 represents fluorine, chlorine or bromine, R.sub.1 represents hydrogen, methyl, ethynyl or cyano, and Y represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or bromine, processes for their manufacture, and a method of controlling pests which comprises the use of these compounds.

Abstract: There are described new squaric acid esters, particularly mono-ortho esters, di-ortho esters, ortho ester anhydrides and ortho ester halides of squaric acid; a new process for producing these squaric acid esters; and a process for converting the squaric acid esters into squaric acid. It is possible by the new process to produce, with the use of readily obtainable starting products, the new squaric acid esters according to the invention in an economical manner and with good to very good yields; and the squaric acid esters can be converted under mild reaction conditions into squaric acid.

Abstract: Cyclobutane-1-carboxylates of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine or methyl andR.sub.3 represents hydrogen, cyano or ethynyl, processes for producing them and their use in combating pests.

Abstract: This invention is directed to compositions for influencing plant growth, especially weed control, growth inhibition and desiccation, containing as active ingredient a 1-phenyl-2-oxo-pyrrolidine-4-carboxylic acid derivative of formula ##STR1## wherein A is --OH, --OR.sub.1, --SR.sub.2 or --CN, R.sub.1 representing a cation or an ester moiety, R.sub.2 an alkyl, benzyl or phenyl group, X being a substituent chosen from alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, phenoxy, substituted sulfamoyl or substituted sulfonylamino, Y is hydrogen, halogen, CF.sub.3, alkyl, alkylthio or alkoxy and Z is hydrogen, alkyl, alkylthio or alkoxy.The invention is also concerned with novel compounds of this formula, wherein Y is alkyl, alkylthio, halogen or CF.sub.3.

Abstract: Certain esters of 1-hydroxy-cyclobutene-3,4-dione and mono- and diesters of square acid have been found to be useful in the regulation of plant growth, especially as post-emergent herbicides, as plant growth inhibitors and desiccants.New esters of this type and their manufacture are also described.

Abstract: Monoketals of esters and amides of aromatic .alpha.,.beta.-dioxocarboxylic acids having the formulaR -- CO -- C(OR.sub.1)(OR.sub.2) -- COX].sub.mwherein m is 1 or 2, R is a mono- or divalent aromatic residue, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are monovalent organic residues and X is an alkoxy or amino groups, are photoinitiators for the UV-curing of resins. Examples for such resins are acrylates, methacrylates or unsaturated polyesters. The most important application for such photochemical curing is the field of coatings and printing inks.