Abstract: The present invention relates to an asymmetrically modified borohydride type compound obtained by reacting an optically active amino alcohol represented by the formula, ##STR1## or its salt with an acid with a borohydride compound; its production method; and a method for producing an optically active alcohol derivative useful as fungicides, herbicides or plant growth regulators and represented by the formula, ##STR2## which comprises asymmetrically reducing a ketone compound represented by the formula, ##STR3## with the asymmetrically modified borohydride type compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optically active borane complex represented by the general formula, ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an aryl group, R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group and a mark * means an asymmetric carbon, and a method for producing optically active alcohol derivatives by the reduction of prochiral ketones with said borane complex. The optically active alcohol derivative is useful for fungicides, herbicides or plant growth regulators.

Abstract: 5-Ethylidene-2-norbornene with high quality is effectively prepared by isomerization 5-vinyl-2-norbornene containing 1 ppm to 0.5% by weight of 4-vinylcyclohexene in the presence of at least one catalyst selected from the group consisting of a solid base catalyst which is prepared by reacting alumina, an alkali metal hydroxide and an alkali metal in a temperature range of 200.degree. to 500.degree. C. and a solid base catalyst which is prepared by reacting water-containing alumina and an alkali metal in such an amount that exceeds a molar equivalent of water contained in alumina at a temperature in a range between a melting point of the alkali metal and 500.degree. C. in an inert gas atmosphere.

Abstract: Racemization of optically active, particularly the (-)-form of chrysanthemic acid or its ester of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is, for example, hydrogen or an alkyl group, is effected by contacting it with boron tribromide or aluminum tribromide in the presence of an azo compound. This racemization procedure is useful from a commerical point of view.

Abstract: 5-Ethylidene-2-norbornene is effectively prepared by isomerization 5-vinyl-2-norbornene in the presence of at least one catalyst selected from a group consisting of a solid base catalyst which is prepared by reacting alumina and an alkali metal hydroxide at a temperature of 200.degree. to 500.degree. C. and then reacting the reaction produce with an alkali metal at a temperature of 180.degree. to 350.degree. C. and a solid base catalyst which is prepared by reacting water-containing alumina and an alkali metal in such an amount that corresponds to a molar equivalent of water contained in alumina at a temperature in a range between a melting point of the alkali metal and 500.degree. C. and then reacting the reaction product with an alkali metal at a temperature of 180.degree. to 350.degree. C.

Abstract: A solid base with improved properties, particularly excellent catalytic performance is prepared by reacting alumina and an alkali metal hydroxide at a temperature of from 200.degree. to 500.degree. C. and followed by reacting the resultant product with an alkali metal at a temperature of from 180.degree. to 350.degree. C. or reacting water-containing alumina and an alkali metal in such an amount that corresponds to a molar equivalent of water contained in alumina at a temperature in a range between a melting point of the alkali metal and 500.degree. C. and then reacting the reaction product with an alkali metal at a temperature of from 180.degree. to 350.degree. C.

Abstract: An optically active chrysanthemic acid or esters thereof are conveniently racemized with an aluminum bromide compound such as aluminum tribromide. An organic hydroperoxide should always be added to for racemization of the esters, but is not always necessary for racemization of the acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for racemization of a chrysanthemic acid or its ester, which comprises contacting the acid or its ester with a boron bromide compound, optionally in the presence of organic hydroperoxide.

Abstract: In a Reimer-Tiemann reaction for the preparation of a mixture of two hydroxybenzaldehydes (i.e., salicylaldehyde and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde) by reacting phenol with chloroform and an aqueous alkali solution in a heterogeneous system, the two hydroxybenzaldehydes can be prepared in a controlled formation ratio, yield and reaction rate depending upon the conditions used when the reaction is carried out in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst selected from the group consisting of a cationic type phase transfer catalyst, an amphoteric type phase transfer catalyst and an anionic type phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: A lactic acid fermented sunflower seed milk and imitation acidic dairy desserts and drinks made from vegetable seed milk and the product thereof. Lactic acid fermented sunflower seed milk and imitation acidic dairy desserts and drinks made from vegetable seed milk are obtained by inoculating sunflower seed milk with lactic acid bacteria to carry out fermentation, and subsequently adding acid drinks and/or organic acids to obtain the desired flavor.

Abstract: A novel substituted diene alcohol represented by a general formula: ##STR1## wherein X represents a group of the formula ##STR2## and a process for the preparation thereof a lower alkoxycarbonyl group of a substituted diene carboxylic acid ester having an E configuration obtained by the treatment of a chrysanthemic acid ester with Bronsted acid or a substituted diene carboxylic acid ester having a Z configuration obtained by the thermal cleavage of a chrysanthemic acid ester is reduced to methylol derivative.

Abstract: A method for producing an optically active 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid useful as an intermediate for dehydropeptidase I inhibitors, medicines and agricultural chemicals, which comprises reacting an optically active diphenylethylamine represented by the formula, ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, with 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid in a solvent to achieve the optical purification of said acid.

Abstract: An ester obtained from 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid and optically active menthol, represented by the formula, ##STR1## is effectively resolved into diastereomers, which upon hydrolysis give optically active 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid.Unnecessary diastereomeric ester, remained after resolution, can be epimerized selectively on the acid moiety.Combination of the resolution and the epimerization provides an efficient method for production of optically active 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide the process for preparing racemized cyclopropanecarboxylic acids or their acid anhydrides from the corresponding optically active, particularly levo-rotatory, cyclopropanecarboxylic acid anhydrides. The racemization is effected by the treatment of the optically active acid anhydride with a Lewis acid. Thus, the present racemization process enables more efficient commercial production of dextro-rotatory cyclopropanecarboxylic acids, which are the more effective acid component of pyrethroidal insecticides, when combined with an optical resolution process.

Abstract: A process for isomerization of cis-chrysanthemate esters by contacting a chrysanthemate ester containing a cis-chrysanthemate ester with a Lewis acid, to transform the cis-chrysanthemate ester into trans-chrysanthemate ester through epimerization at C.sub.3 -position. The starting cis-chrysanthemate ester may be of any optical isomer ratio form (+)-form to (-)-form, including racemic form. Accordingly the process is effectively employable for the preparation of a (+)-trans-chrysanthemate ester from the (+)-cis-chrysanthemate ester. Combinations of the process with optical resolution would make the commercial production of (+)-trans-chrysanthemic acid more effective, the latter being an important acid component of pyrethroidal insecticides.

Abstract: In a Reimer-Tiemann reaction for the preparation of a mixture of salicylaldehyde and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, improved yield of the product and high selectivity of salicylaldehyde can be obtained when an alkali metal salt of a phenol is reacted with a reaction mixture comprised of chloroform and a slurry of an alkali metal hydroxide (preferably, in a fine powder state thereof) and an inert organic solvent and optionally, a catalytic amount of a surfactant.

Abstract: A method for racemization of optically active 2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid by converting said acid to the corresponding halide thereof represented by the general formula; ##STR1## wherein X is a halogen atom, which is heated to a temperature of about 80.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C., preferably about 100.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C., and then, if desired, producing 2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid by hydrolysis of the resultant acid halide.

Abstract: A novel substituted diene alcohol represented by a general formula: ##STR1## wherein X represents a group of the formula ##STR2## and a process for the preparation thereof wherein a lower alkoxycarbonyl group of a substituted diene carboxylic acid ester having an E configuration obtained by the treatment of a chrysanthemic acid ester with Bronsted acid or a substituted diene carboxylic acid ester having a Z configuration obtained by the thermal cleavage of a chrysanthemic acid ester is reduced to methylol derivative.

Abstract: A process for producing 5-halomethylfurfural represented by the formula, ##STR1## wherein X is Cl or Br, which comprises carrying out a acid-decomposition of saccharide in a water/organic solvent/magnesium halide system with hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen chloride or other mineral acid in the presence or absence of surface active agent as a catalyst. The 5-halomethylfurfural is useful as an intermediate of medicines, agricultural chemicals, perfumes and the like.