Abstract: A process for preparing a vinyl isothiocyanate comprises contacting a halogen-substituted allyl thiocyanate, in solution and at an elevated temperature, with an acidic material which is either an acid or a halide or oxyhalide of an inorganic acid. The halogen-substituted allyl thiocyanate may be prepared from a dihalogenated alkene. The vinyl isothiocyanate may subsequently be converted to a thiazole.

Abstract: A process for preparing an aliphatic thioamide entails reacting a nitrile compound of the general formulaR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 C--CN,wherein R.sub.1 denotes a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an aryl radical and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 each denotes a hydrogen atom containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, with hydrogen sulphide, in the presence as catalyst of an aliphatic amine of the general formulaR.sub.4 R.sub.5 R.sub.6 N,wherein R.sub.4 denotes an alkyl radical containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms and R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 each denotes a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms, in a water-miscible polar solvent.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a substituted thiazole comprises reacting an isothiocyanate compound of the general formulaHal.CH(R.sub.1). CH.dbd.C(R.sub.2).NCSin which Hal is a chlorine or bromine atom and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms, in solution with a chlorinating or brominating agent. The compound 2-chloro-5-(chloromethyl) thiazole, which is an important intermediate in the manufacture of agrochemical and pharmaceutical products, may very advantageously be prepared by this method.

Abstract: A potassium salt useful in the production of certain N-substituted alkyl or arylalkyl thionitroethenamines is produced by the reaction of the dipotassium salt of a 2-nitrodithio aliphatic acid such as 2-nitrodithio acetic acid with branched chain primary alkylamines, secondary alkylamines, arylalkylamines or heterocyclic alkylamines such as dimethylamine, pinacolylamine, benzylamine or piperonylamine, thereby converting one only of the KS-groups to an alkylamine group. The resulting monopotassium salt may be alkylated or arylalkylated to produce an N-substituted alkyl or arylalkyl thionitroethenamine. This compound may be reacted with a suitable amine to produce compounds containing the pharmaceutically active grouping --NHC(.dbd.CHNO.sub.2)NHX, wherein X represents an alkyl, arylalkyl or heterocyclic alkyl group.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a process for the preparation of an aminoalkyl p-hydroxyphenyl ketone comprising reacting phenol with a nitrile, in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst, to cause condensation thereof, the process being characterised in that the reaction is carried out in a medium comprising a nitroalkane solvent for the reactants.

Abstract: A potassium salt useful in the production of N-substituted-1-alkylthio-2-nitroethenamines is produced by the reaction of the dipotassium salt of nitrodithioacetic acid with certain straight chain alkylamines, thereby converting only one of the KS-groups to an alkylamine group. The resulting monopotassium salt may be alkylated to produce the required N-substituted-1-alkylthio compound which may be reacted with a suitable amine to produce the histamine H.sub.2 -antagonist ranitidine.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of nitromethylene heterocyclic compounds of general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a formyl or acetyl group, each moiety R.sup.2 is independently selected from hydrogen atoms and C.sub.1-4 alkyl and benzyl groups, and n is 2 or 3, which process comprises reacting an alkali metal methylnitrodithioacetate with a compound of formulaH.sub.2 N--(CR.sub.2.sup.2).sub.n --OSO.sub.3 H (II)wherein R.sup.2 and n are as defined above, optionally followed by conversion of the resulting compound of Formula I wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen to the corresponding compound of Formula I wherein R.sup.1 is formyl or acetyl. Certain compounds of Formula I are known insecticidally active compounds.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a thiazine derivative, having insecticidal properties, of the formula ##STR1## where each R is hydrogen or an appropriate aromatic or aliphatic substituent and X is hydrogen, halogen or lower alkyl, the method comprising reacting together a sulphur donor, a compound of the formula Y.sub.2 C.dbd.CXNO.sub.2 where Y is halogen (preferably chlorine) or another appropriate leaving group and a compound of the formulaH.sub.2 NCR.sub.2 CR.sub.2 CR.sub.2 OSO.sub.3 H.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a thiazine derivative of the formula ##STR1## where each R is independently selected from hydrogen or a lower alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the method comprising reacting together a sulphur donor which is selected from sulfur, ammonium or alkali metal sulfides, ammonium or alkali metal hydrosulfides, or hydrogen sulfide, 1,1-bis(methylthio)-2-nitroethene and a compound of the formulaH.sub.2 NCR.sub.2 CR.sub.2 CR.sub.2 OSO.sub.3 Hwhere each R is as defined above.A preferred method is for the preparation of tetra-2-(nitromethylene)-2H-1,3-thiazine which possesses broad spectrum insecticidal activity, and is also useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of other insecticides.