Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an amino, hydrocarbylamino or dihydrocarbylamino radical, the hydrocarbylamino and dihydrocarbylamino radicals being unsubstituted, or substituted in the hydrocarbyl moiety with atoms or radicals which do not interfere with the process and Z is an acyl radical which comprises the steps of:(a) decarboxylating a compound of formula: ##STR2## to produce the corresponding 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-pyrimidine; and (B) TREATING THE CORRESPONDING 4-HYDROXY-6-METHYL PYRIMIDINE THUS PRODUCED WITH AN ACYLATING AGENT CAPABLE OF PROVIDING THE ACYL RADICAL Z;where both steps (a) and (b) are carried out in the same solvent or diluent.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a compound of formula: ##STR1## WHEREIN N IS ZERO OR AN INTEGER FROM 1 TO 12 AND R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are hydrogen or lower alkyl, which comprises the step of treating a mixture of a diketene of formula: ##STR2## and a strongly acidic medium selected from the group consisting of concentrated sulphuric acid and oleum with a compound of formula:NH=C(NH.sub.2)NR.sup.1 R.sup.2or the sulphate thereof.

Abstract: A process of preparing the herbicide N-phosphonomethylglycine which comprises reacting an N-substituted glycine derivative of the formula: ##EQU1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or an esterifying group, Ar is an aryl radical, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each stand for a hydrogen atom or an aryl radical, with formaldehyde and phosphorous acid in an acidic aqueous medium to give an N-substituted N-phosphonomethylglycine derivative of the formula: ##EQU2## and thereafter reacting the said N-substituted N-phosphonomethylglycine with hydrobromic or hydriodic acid to remove the N-substituent, and recovering N-phosphonomethylglycine.