Abstract: In the production of an S-substituted isothiourea including the function group ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or aralkyl radical, wherein a thiourea including the functional group ##STR2## is reacted with an etherifying agent to replace H by R.sup.1, the improvement which comprises effecting the reaction in two steps, in the first step reacting the thiourea material with an etherifying agent including the radical Rin whichR is an alkyl, alkenyl aryl or aralkyl radical different from R.sup.1thereby to produce the ether ##STR3## and in the second step reacting the ether with a compound of the formula R.sup.1 SH. The process is particularly applicable to the production of the known herbicide ##STR4## from the corresponding thiourea where in the first step methyl bromide or methyl iodide is used to form the S-methyl isothiourea which is then interchanged with ethyl mercaptan. Higher overall yields and/or economies are thereby achieved.

Abstract: In the reaction of pinacolone with chlorine in a solvent to produce monochloropinacolone, the improvement which comprises employing a solvent such as an alcohol which contains HCl at the outset of the reaction whereby the amount of by-product dichloropinacolone produced is reduced.

Abstract: Sodium 3,3-dimethyl-2-hydroxybutyrate and ruthenium dioxide hydrate are added to water, the pH rendered alkaline, and sodium hypochlorite is slowly added to produce sodium 3,3-dimethyl-2-oxobutyrate in high yield and purity. The solid catalyst is filtered off and may be re-used while the filtrate can be directly used in further synthesis.

Abstract: A process for the production of an S-substituted isothiourea including the functional group ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or aralkyl radical, comprising reacting a thiourea including the functional group ##STR2## with an alpha-activated etherifying agent of the formulaX--A--Yin whichX is a halogen atom,A is a direct bond or CH.sub.2, andY is an electron withdrawing group, thereby to produce the ether ##STR3## and in a second step reacting the ether with a compound of the formula R.sup.1 SH. The process is particularly applicable to the production of the known herbicide ##STR4## from the corresponding thiourea where in the first step chloroacetic acid is used to form the S- carboxymethyl isothiourea which is then interchanged with ethyl mercaptan. Higher overall yields and/or economies are thereby achieved.