Abstract: Substituted aminoanthraquinone compounds, which are used for dye stuffs or intermediate thereof, represented by the formula (II) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.3 represents a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group which may be substituted, X represents a hydrogen atom, --COR.sub.1 or --SO.sub.2 R.sub.2 wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represents a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 aryl group, and Y and Z represent independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, is prepared by allowing anthraquinone compounds represented by the formula ##STR2## wherein X, Y and Z are as defined above, to react with alkylating agents in organic solvents in the presence of organic quaternary ammonium salts and alkalies.

Abstract: A process for producing an optically active .alpha.-isopropyl-p-chlorophenylacetic acid (ICPA) of the formula: ##STR1## wherein the symbol * stands for an asymmetric carbon atom.

Abstract: A process for preparing an alcohol of the formula: ##STR1## by reacting a carbonyl compound of the formula: ##STR2## or an oxirane of the formula: ##STR3## magnesium and a propargyl halide of the formula: ##STR4## followed by hydrolysis, characterized in that the carbonyl compound (II) or the oxirane compound (III) and the propargyl halide (IV) are reacted simultaneously with magnesium in an inert solvent in the presence of zinc or a halide thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing cyclopentenolones of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl group having not more than 6 carbon atoms, an alkenyl or alkynyl group having not more than 6 carbon atoms or a group of the formula: ##STR2## in which R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or a halogen atom directly from the corresponding furan-carbinols of the formula: ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 is as defined above in a single step with an excellent yield, characterized in that the furan-carbinols are treated with water in the presence or absence of a catalyst.

Abstract: A process for producing benzaldehydes by catalytic reduction of benzonitriles in the presence of an acid using a Raney nickel catalyst pretreated with a copper salt is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing a 4-hydroxycyclopentenone represented by the formula, ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, thienyl, phenyl, p-methylbenzyl or benzyl group and R.sub.2 is an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group having 6 or less carbon atom, which comprises reacting a furylcarbinol compound of the formula, ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is as defined above, in the presence of an acid in a mixed solvent of water and an organic solvent, to obtain a cyclopentenone compound of the formula, ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 is as defined above; reacting the cyclopentenone compound in the presence of an oxidizing agent to obtain a cyclopentendione compound of the formula, ##STR4## wherein R.sub.1 is as defined above; reacting the cyclopentendione compound with a Grignard reagent of the formula,R.sub.2 MgXwherein R.sub.2 is as defined above and X is chlorine, bromine or iodine atom, to obtain an oxocyclopentene compound of the formula, ##STR5## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: A process for preparing cyclopentenolones of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group having not more than 6 carbon atoms, a straight, branched or cyclic alkenyl group having not more than 6 carbon atoms, a straight or branched alkynyl group having not more than 6 carbon atoms or a group of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or a halogen atom directly from the corresponding furan-carbinols of the formula: ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 is as defined above in a single step with an excellent yield, characterized in that the furan-carbinols are treated with water in the presence or absence of a catalyst.

Abstract: A method of producing a 4-hydroxycyclopentenone represented by the formula, ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, thienyl, phenyl, p-methylbenzyl or benzyl group and R.sub.2 is an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms, which comprises reacting a furylcarbinol compound of the formula, ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is as defined above, in the presence of an acid in a mixed solvent of water and an organic solvent, to obtain a cyclopentenone compound of the formula, ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 is as defined above; reacting the cyclopentenone compound in the presence of an oxidizing agent to obtain a cyclopentendione compound of the formula, ##STR4## wherein R.sub.1 is a defined above; reacting the cyclopentendione compound with a Grignard reagent of the formula,R.sub.2 MgXwherein R.sub.2 is as defined above and X is chlorine, bromine or iodine atom, to obtain an oxocyclopentene compound of the formula, ##STR5## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: A process for producing 3-oxocyclopentenes which comprises treating a furan-carbinol of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl group having not more than 6 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having not more than 6 carbon atoms, an alkynyl group having not more than 6 carbon atoms or a group of the formula: ##STR2## in which R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or a halogen atom in an aqueous medium in the presence or absence of a catalyst at a pH of 3 to 6.5 to give the corresponding 3-oxocyclopentene of the formula: ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 is as defined above.

Abstract: In the production of a furfuryl alcohol of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and R.sub.2 is an allyl or .alpha.-methylallyl group, by combining the corresponding furfural of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is as defined above, with magnesium and allyl chloride or .alpha.-methylallyl chloride into a reaction and hydrolysing the resultant product, the improved method wherein tetrahydrofuran or its mixture with at least one aromatic hydrocarbon is used as a reaction medium, and the furfural and allyl chloride or .alpha.-methylallyl chloride are simultaneously added to the reaction medium comprising magnesium, whereby the objective furfuryl alcohol is obtained in high yields.

Abstract: A process for preparing cyclopentenolones in good yields which comprises treating a 4-hydroxy-4-R.sub.2 -5-R.sub.1 -2-cyclopentenone of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl group having not more than 6 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having not more than 6 carbon atoms, an alkynyl group having not more than 6 carbon atoms or a group of the formula: ##STR2## (in which R.sub.3 is hydrogen, methyl or halogen) and R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, provided that when R.sub.2 is hydrogen, R.sub.1 is neither .alpha.-methylallyl nor .alpha.-methylpropargyl, in an aqueous medium in the presence or absence of a metal salt at a temperature of 20.degree. to 200.degree. C. to give the corresponding 2-R.sub.1 -3-R.sub.2 -4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone of the formula: ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each as defined above.

Abstract: An organic quaternary ammonium salt used as a catalyst in a reaction between a benzylnitrile and a halide in the presence of an alkali to obtain an .alpha.-alkyl- or .alpha.-phenyl-benzylnitrile, is recovered effectively from the reaction solution containing the .alpha.-alkyl- or .alpha.-phenyl-benzylnitrile, the alkali and the catalyst, by adding water to the reaction solution to make the alkali concentration of the water layer 10% by weight or below, and then separating the water layer containing the organic quaternary ammonium salt from the oil layer containing the .alpha.-alkyl- or .alpha.-phenyl-benzylnitrile.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of .beta.-isopropylnaphthalene hydroperoxide comprising oxidizing an isopropylnaphthalene mixture containing .alpha.- and .beta.-isopropylnaphthalene isomers with molecular oxygen or a molecular oxygen containing gas in an oxidation zone and recycling unreacted ispropylnaphthalene recoverd after the oxidation to the oxidation zone, in which the oxidation is carried out by controlling the .alpha.-isopropylnaphthalene content in the isopropylnaphthalene mixture continuously fed to the oxidation zone to about 15% by weight or less.