Abstract: Preparation of cyclopropane carboxylic acids usable as intermediates and of formula (II), wherein R1 represents halogen, preferably Cl or Br, or haloalkyl, preferably CF3, and X2 represents halogen, preferably Cl or Br, where R1 or X2 may be the same or different, and wherein the configuration of (II) is predominantly Z for R1=CF3 and X2=Cl; by reacting, in the presence of a catalyst, a compound of formula (I), wherein R1 and X2 are as defined, and X1 represents halogen, preferably Cl or Br, where R1, X1 and X2 may be the same or different, with a compound which is a hydrogen donor.

Abstract: The compounds 3-(2,2-dichloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-hydroxypropyl)-2,2-dimethyl-(1R,cis)-cyc lopropane carboxylic acid, cis-3-(2,2-dichloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-hydroxypropyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopro pane carboxylic acid and (1R,5S)-4-(1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-6,6-dimethyl-3-oxabicyclo[3. 1.0]hexan-2-one occur as intermediates in a process for the preparation of insecticidally active cyclopropane carboxylate esters, said process starting from 6,6-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one (Biocartol) which is reacted with the compound CF.sub.3 --CC1X.sub.2 (X=halogen) in the presence of zinc.

Abstract: The invention provides novel fluoro-imides/amides of the formula: ##STR1## in which at least two of X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are fluorine and any of X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 which is not fluorine, is chlorine, and A is selected from:(a) ##STR2## in which R.sub.1 is hydrogen or a halogen atom, preferably chlorine,Z is CH or a nitrogen atom,n is 0 or 1, andR is an alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, or a halogen atom, preferably chlorine;(b) ##STR3## in which Z, n and R have the above-stated meanings: (c) ##STR4## and (d) ##STR5## and a process for preparing said compounds. Said compounds have valuable fungicidal and miticidal activity.

Abstract: (2,2-Disubstituted vinyl)-.gamma.-butyrolactones of the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, preferably methyl,R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, preferably methyl, or halogen, or, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a cycloalkyl group, andR.sub.5 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl,are prepared by condensing an epoxide of the formula: ##STR2## with a malonic acid ester of the formula: ##STR3## in a basic medium. The butyrolactones of formula I are valuable intermediates for the synthesis of synthetic pyrethroids having insecticidal activity.

Abstract: The invention provides novel fluoro-imides/amides of the formula: ##STR1## in which at least two of X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are fluorine and any of X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 which is not fluorine, is chlorine, and A is selected from: ##STR2## in which R.sub.1 is hydrogen or a halogen atom, preferably chlorine,Z is CH or a nitrogen atom,n is 0 or 1, andR is an alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, or a halogen atom, preferably chlorine; ##STR3## in which Z, n and R have the above-stated meanings: ##STR4## and a process for preparing said compounds. Said compounds have valuable fungicidal and miticidal activity.

Abstract: The invention provides novel fluoro-imides/amides of the formula: ##STR1## IN WHICH AT LEAST TWO OF X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are fluorine and any of X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 which is not fluorine, is chlorine, and A is selected from:(a) ##STR2## IN WHICH R.sub.1 is hydrogen or a halogen atom, preferably chlorine, Z is CH or a nitrogen atom,N is 0 or 1, andR is an alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, or a halogen atom, preferably chlorine;(b) ##STR3## IN WHICH Z, n and R have the above-stated meanings: (C) ##STR4## (d) ##STR5## and a process for preparing said compounds. Said compounds have valuable fungicidal and miticidal activity.

Abstract: A three-step process for the production of chrysanthemic acid esters and their homologues of the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl,R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl or halogen or, together with the C atom to which they are attached, form a cycloalkyl group, andR.sub.5 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl,Which comprises:(1) decarboxylating a lactone of the formula: ##STR2## (2) treating the resulting decarboxylated lactone to effect ring cleavage, halogenation and esterification to form an ester of the formula: ##STR3## in which X is Cl, Br or I, and (3) TREATING THE ESTER X with a base to effect internal condensation whereby the desired product of formula I is obtained.The esters I are valuable intermediates for the preparation of synthetic pyrethroids having insecticidal activity.