Abstract: Comounds having the formula ##STR1## wherein: a is 2 or 3; b is an integer from 0 to 4;Me.sup.(a+) is an ion of an element of atomic number from 57 to 70 or an ion of a transition metal of atomic number 21-29, 42 or 44;E.sup.(b+) is one or more physiologically biocompatible cation of an inorganic or an organic base or amino acid, said cation representing a total positive charge of b units;S is the group --A--O--R wherein:A is --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --; --CH.sub.2 --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --; m is an integer from 1 to 5; R is H; linear or branched alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, said carbon atoms being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more hyroxy group; aralkyl of 1 to 4 aliphatic carbon atoms; phenyl or phenyl substituted by halogen, amino, hydroxy or trifluoromethyl; (poly)-oxa-alkyl of 1 to 10 oxygen atoms and from 3 to 30 carbon atoms;R.sub.1 is R.sub.2 or --CH.sub.2 COOZ; --CH(CH.sub.3)COOZ; --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --N(CH.sub.2 COOZ).sub.

Abstract: Blends based on vinyl-aromatic polymers endowed with high tenacity and good chemical resistance, comprising:40 to 98% by weight of a vinyl-aromatic polymer containing from 0.5 to 5% by weight of a vinyl-aromatic monomer conjugated diene block copolymer;1-54% by weight of a polyolefine; and1-20% by weight of a vinyl-aromatic monomer-conjugated diene star block copolymer; the sum of the three components being equal to 100%.

Abstract: Compounds suitable for NMR imaging having the formula: ##STR1## wherein a is 2 or 3;b is an integer from 0 to 4;Me.sup.(a+) is Fe.sup.(2+), Fe.sup.(3+), Gd.sup.(3+), or Mn.sup.(2+) ;E.sup.(b+) is an ion of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, alkyl ammonium, alkanol ammonium, polyhydroxyalkyl ammonium, or basic protonated amino acid, said ions representing a total charge of b;m is an integer from 1 to 5;R is H, alkyl with from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, alkyl with from 1 to 8 carbon atoms wherein from 1 to 5 carbons are substituted with OH; aralkyl with 1 to 4 aliphatic carbon atoms; phenyl or phenyl substituted by halogen, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carboxamide, ester, SO.sub.3 H, sulfonamide, lower alkyl, lower hydroxy alkyl, amino, acylamino; (poly)oxa-alkyl with 1 to 50 oxygen atoms and from 3 to 150 carbon atoms, wherein 1 to 5 hydrogen atoms may be substituted by OH;R.sub.1 is the same as R.sub.2 oris --CH.sub.2 COOZ, --CH(CH.sub.3)COOZ, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --N(CH.sub.2 COOZ).sub.

Abstract: Polymeric blends based on vinyl-aromatic polymers endowed with high tenacity and chemical resistance comprising:from 10 to 90% by weight of a vinyl-chloride polymer;from 90 to 10% by weight of a vinyl-aromatic copolymer containing from 2 to 25% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated nitrile and a quantity not exceeding 15% by weight of a rubber, are disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed the reduction of alkyl esters of carbonic-carboxylic acid anhydrides at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of platinum group metal catalysts, especially palladium on activated carbon, to make alcohols. Novel alkyl esters of carbonic-carboxylic acid anhydrides are disclosed, and can be used to make the corresponding alcohols, e.g., substituted benzyl alcohols. The alcohols can be converted to the corresponding halo, e.g., chloro, compounds. The substituted benzyl halides can be reacted with di(lower alkoxy)propionitriles, and the resulting 5-benzyl pyrimidines such as trimethoprim, 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)-pyrimidine, which is a known anti-bacterial agent, are especially useful in combination with sulfa drugs such as sulfamethoxazole.