Abstract: Process for the production of 4-alkoxyacetoacetic acid esters from 4-chloro- or 4-bromoacetoacetic esters. The 4-chloro- or 4-bromoacetoacetic ester is reacted with a highly concentrated solution of an alkali alcoholate in alcohol having been concentrated at elevated temperatures, at temperatures of 50.degree. to 120.degree. C. At least 2.8 mole of the alkali alcoholate are used per mole of 4-chloro- or 4-bromoacetoacetic ester.

Abstract: Process for the production of chloroacetyl chloride. In the process ketene is reacted with sulfuryl chloride in a solvent at a temperature of -40.degree. to +40.degree. C. to produce chloroacetyl chloride. Up to, and including, one mole of ketene is used per mole of sulfuryl chloride. The product contains very low levels of dichloroacetyl chloride as a contaminant.

Abstract: A process for the production of succinylosuccinic acid diester. The process includes reacting a .gamma.-haloacetoacetic ester with a strong base. The reaction is conducted in the presence of at least one dispersing agent and an aqueous buffer solution of at least one inorganic salt at a pH of 8 to 10. The pH is kept constant during the reaction by the addition of a strong base as needed. The reaction is conducted at a temperature between -10.degree. and 10.degree. C. and preferably between -2.degree. and 0.degree. C. The succinylosuccinic acid diester can be isolated by any convenient method such as filtering or centrifuging it from the reaction solution.

Abstract: Process for the production of 2-R.sup.1 substituted-4- hydroxy-5-R.sup.2 substituted -6-hydroxy methyl-pyrimidines having the following general formula: ##EQU1## wherein R.sup.1 can be an alkyl group, a phenyl group or --H, and wherein R.sup.2 can be an alkyl group, a phenyl group or --H. The process includes reacting a 2-R.sup.1 substituted -4-hydroxy-5-R.sup.2 substituted -6-chloromethyl-pyrimidine having the following general formula: ##EQU2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are defined as above, with water under reflux at a pH value of 4 to 8.