Abstract: Polymeric optical filter agents and photographic products and processes using same are disclosed. The polymeric optical filter agents are pH-sensitive optical filter agents comprising polymeric backbone units having the following hydrazone moiety: ##STR1## where R is a group which can provide a double bond for conjugation with the ##STR2## portion of the moiety to provide light-absorbing capability for the agent at a pH above its pKa, and X represents a substituent of R providing at least one electron-withdrawing group. The polymeric pH-sensitive optical filter agents have a highly colored light-absorbing form at a pH above the pKa and are substantially non-absorbing at a pH below the pKa. The polymeric optical filter agents are useful in photographic film units and processes for the protection of photoexposed photosensitive elements against the occurence of fogging during in-light development.

Abstract: This invention concerns processes for preparing .beta.-santalol, .beta.-santalene, dihydro-.beta.-santalol, tetrahydro-.beta.-santalol and related compounds from camphene. The invention further concerns novel compounds useful as intermediates in these processes and as fragrance adjuncts.

Abstract: This invention concerns processes for preparing compounds having the structure ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 is the same or different and represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl group and wherein each dashed line represents a carbon-carbon single bond or a carbon-carbon double bond. Those compounds in which all three dashed lines represent carbon-carbon double bonds are prepared by reacting phenols and 2-alkylidene-1,4-disubstituted butanes. Selective reduction of these compounds yields those in which at least one dashed line represents a carbon-carbon single bond. Most of the compounds so prepared are new compounds. All are useful as fragrance materials either directly and/or in compositions and/or have useful fixative properties in fragrance compositions.

Abstract: N,N-difluoroamines are prepared by fluorination of compounds containing a >C.dbd.N-- bond using molecular fluorine or a hypofluorite in which the fluoroxy group is bonded to an inert electron attracting group, such hypofluorites including fluoroalkyl hypofluorites such as trifluoromethyl hypofluorite. The fluorination is advantageously conducted in the presence of an alkanol or other nucleophilic compound. Suitable starting materials include imino ethers and esters and aliphatic and aromatic Schiff's bases, use of the latter being particularly convenient.

Abstract: This invention concerns processes for preparing .beta.-santalol, .beta.-santalene, dihydro-.beta.-santalol, tetrahydro-.beta.-santalol and related compounds from camphene. The invention further concerns novel compounds useful as intermediates in these processes and as fragrance adjuncts.

Abstract: .alpha.,.beta.-Unsaturated aldehydes and ketones are prepared by reaction of an arylseleninic anhydride with an aldehyde or ketone having at least one hydrogen atom in the .alpha.-position which is or can be in the syn-configuration with respect to at least one hydrogen atom in the said .beta.-position. The ketones used as starting material especially include perhydrophenanthrene ketones such as steroid ketones and the arylseleninic anhydride used may for example be benzeneseleninic anhydride.

Abstract: This invention concerns processes for preparing compounds having the structure ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 is the same or different and represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl group and wherein each dashed line represents a carbon-carbon single bond or a carbon-carbon double bond. Those compounds in which all three dashed lines represent carbon-carbon double bonds are prepared by reacting phenols and 2-alkylidene-1,4-disubstituted butanes. Selective reduction of these compounds yields those in which at least one dashed line represents a carbon-carbon single bond. Most of the compounds so prepared are new compounds. All are useful as fragrance materials either directly and/or in compositions and/or have useful fixative properties in fragrance compositions.

Abstract: Novel semisynthetic .beta.-lactam intermediates of use in the production of cephalosporins, penicillins and related .beta.-lactam antibiotic compounds are provided. The novel compounds are prepared from .beta.-lactams obtained by cleavage of the 1,2-sulphur-carbon bond of a penicillin 1-oxide (with subsequent internal or external trapping of the sulphur atom to leave a residual substituent as the .beta.-lactam nitrogen) by removal of the said residual substituent by an oxidative cleavage reaction.

Abstract: Novel compounds of general formula ##STR1## (where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups; and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, which may be the same or different, represent alkyl groups which may carry substituents, R.sup.4 alternatively representing a hydrogen atom; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together with the intervening N represent a heterocyclic group or an acid-addition salt thereof) are provided, together with a process for their preparation. The new compounds are useful as antidepressants.

Abstract: Novel semisynthetic 4-thio-azetidin-2-one derivatives of use in the production of cephalosporins, penicillins and related .beta.-lactam antibiotic compounds are provided by cleavage reactions involving the corresponding 4-dithio-azetidin-2-one derivative or a suitable thiazoline derivative, which starting materials may be obtained from penicillins without changing the configuration of the .beta.-lactam structure desired in the final product.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 5,6-cis- and 5,6-trans-10,19-dihydro-vitamin D derivatives which comprises hydrogenating a corresponding vitamin D compound in the presence of a ligand-coordinated homogeneous transition metal catalyst whereby the C-19 methylene group of the vitamin D compound is converted into a methyl group.

Abstract: The process for removing a secondary hydroxyl group from an organic compound having at least one secondary hydroxyl group and having any amino groups protected, comprises the reaction of a reactive ester of said secondary hydroxyl group selected from the group consisting of an O-alkylthioester and an O-alkylselenoester with at least one mole of an organotin hydride, preferably tri-n-butylstannane, in an inert, aprotic solvent at a temperature of at least about 100.degree. C and under an inert atmosphere.The process is particularly useful in removing secondary alcohols in aminoglycoside antibiotics to produce deoxy derivatives thereof having antibacterial activity.Also described are novel O-sec.-alkylthiobenzoate, O-sec.-alkyl-S-methylxanthate, N-(sec.-alkoxythiocarbonyl)-imidazole esters, and di-O-alkylthiocarbonates having at least one secondary O-alkyl group, useful intermediates of the claimed process.

Abstract: The Specification describes a synthetic route for the preparation of a 9,11-dehydro-3-oxygenated 17.alpha.-hydroxy-20-ketopregnane which comprises the steps (i) electrophilically fluorinating a saturated 9,11-unsubstituted 3-oxygenated-17.alpha.-(esterified hydroxy)-20-ketopregnane, (ii) dehydrofluorinating the resulting 9.alpha.-fluorosteroid, if desired after transformations elsewhere in the molecule have been effected, and (iii) cleaving the ester group at the 17.alpha.-position to generate a 17.alpha.-hydroxy group.