Abstract: A method of producing 2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1,4-dione. Cu(II)acetylacetonate is used as a catalyst, with a suitable amount of pyridine, in the absence of solvents. The product may be used as an intermediate product for producing flavors and fragrances, or for producing vitamin E and vitamin A.

Abstract: A process for preparing 3,5,5-trimethyl-4-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one, comprising:oxidizing beta-isophorone in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and a weak organic acid at a temperature in the range of 0.degree.-100.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing N-alkyl-N'-methyl-alkyleneureas, by reacting an alkyleneurea with formaldehyde to produce a hydroxymethyl-alkyleneurea, and further reacting said hydroxymethyl-alkyleneurea with formic acid to yield a N-alkyl-N'-methyl-alkyleneurea product, wherein the molar ratio of the N-alkyl-N'-hydroxymethyl-alkyleneureas or N,N'-(bis)hydroxymethyl-alkyleneureas is from 1-2 to 1-10, preferably 1-4 to 1-7.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a dicyclopentenol ester of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.1-12 alkyl group, a C.sub.6-12 aryl group or a C.sub.6-12 substituted aryl group is disclosed. In this process dicyclopentadiene is reacted with an organic carboxylic acid of the formula:R--CO--OHin the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst comprises a readily volatile addition compound of BF.sub.3.

Abstract: A process for the production of beta-isophorone from alpha-isophorone, comprising the steps of:(i) heating alpha-isophorone in the presence of an isomerization catalyst, said catalyst comprising a metal acetylacetonate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum and the metals of Groups IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB and VIIIB of the periodic table, to produce beta-isophorone, and(ii) isolating said beta-isophorone.

Abstract: Herbicidal-substituted .alpha.-(trimethylcycloalkenyl)-N-alkylacetamides of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl or alkoxyalkyl radical with 1-6 carbon atoms or an allyl radical, optionally substituted with C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylene groups, and X is a substituent from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, chlorine and bromine, in any combination, the free valences signify hydrogen and two of the methyl groups on the ring are attached to the same carbon atom, are useful pre- and post-emergent herbicides for weed control in crops.

Abstract: Trialkyl boranes are reacted with compounds containing protons in the presence of catalytic amounts of carboxylic acid derivatives, especially derivatives of t-alkyl carboxylic acids, thereby highly increasing the rate of protolyses of trialkyl boranes. These reactions may, for example, be utilized for the borylation of H-acidic compounds or for the dehydration of salts.