Abstract: A compound represented by a formula (I) or a salt thereof, and a herbicide containing at least one selected from them as an active ingredient: wherein R1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted C1-6 alkyl group or the like, R2 represents a substituted or unsubstituted C1-6 alkyl group or the like, R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted C1-6 alkyl group or the like, and Q represents a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or the like.

Abstract: Process for preparing optically active &bgr;-amino alcohols represented by a general formula (2): Ra—C*H(OH)—C*H(Rb)—Rc wherein Ra and Rc are each independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, Rb is one member selected from among groups represented by the following general formulae; (3) R1CO(R2)N—, and (4) R1CO(R1′CO)N—, and C* is an asymmetric carbon atom, characterized by reacting a racemic &agr;-aminocarbonyl compound represented by the general formula (1): Ra—CO—CH(Rb)—Rc, with hydrogen in the presence of an optically active transition metal compound represented by a general formula (7): MaXY(Px)m(Nx)n wherein Ma represents a metal atom belonging to VIII-group of the periodic law, X and Y represent each independently hydrogen, halogeno, Px represents a phosphine ligand, Nx represents an amine ligand, at least one of Px and Nx is optically active, and m and n each independently represent 0 or an integer of 1 th

Abstract: The present invention relates to benzamidoxime derivatives represented by the formula ?I!; ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkenyl or unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkynyl, R.sup.2 is phenyl optionally having substituents or heterocycle optionally having substituents X.sup.1, X.sup.2, X.sup.3 and X.sup.4 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylthio or the like, and r.sub.1 and r.sub.2 are each independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or the like, having excellent fungicidal activity and being useful as a fungicide for agricultural and horticultural use, and methods for preparation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to benzamidoxime derivatives represented by the formula ?I!; ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkenyl or unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkynyl, R.sup.2 is phenyl optionally having substituents or heterocycle optionally having substituents, X.sup.1, X.sup.2, X.sup.3 and X.sup.4 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylthio or the like, and r.sub.1 and r.sub.2 are each independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or the like, having excellent fungicidal activity and being useful as a fungicide for agricultural and horticultural use, and methods for preparation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a alcohol including an optically active alcohol by hydrogenating a carbonyl compound in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst, a base and a nitrogen-containing organic compound. Thus, the reaction employs an inexpensive catalyst and proceeds in high yield and high efficiency.