Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of the general formula I ##STR1## in which X and Y, independently of each other, represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or bromine, but cannot simultaneously represent hydrogen, characterised in that compounds of the general formula II ##STR2## in which X and Y are defined as above, are reacted with aqueous ammonia under copper catalysis, and to intermediates for the preparation of compounds of the general formula I.

Abstract: In the process for the preparation of fluorinated benzoic acids of the formula I ##STR1## in which X and Y, for example, independently of one another denote chlorine or fluorine and X moreover denotes bromine, a fluorinated chloroacetophenone of the formula II ##STR2## in which Z denotes chlorine or hydrogen, is reacted with a hypohalite.

Abstract: In a process for resolving racemic DL-.alpha.-aminocarboxylic acids the said acids are reacted in an inert solvent with an aromatic o-hydroxy aldehyde to obtain an azomethine derivative which is reacted in the same stage with an optically active amine base to give a salt. The diastereomeric salt obtained is separated and the respective optically active .alpha.-aminocarboxylic acid is obtained therefrom by an acid treatment. By this process aliphatic and aromatic .alpha.-amino-carboxylic acids can be resolved, especially p-hydroxyphenyl glycine.

Abstract: Optically active 2-amino-2-phenylacetic acid of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, which are identical or different, denote hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, acyl, or alkoxy, is prepared by asymmetrical transformation of a corresponding DL-aminophenylacetonitrile with L(+)-tartaric acid. To this end the corresponding DL-2-amino-2-phenyl-acetonitrile is reacted with approximately equimolar amounts of L(+)-tartaric acid in the presence of at least one alkanol having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms and/or at least one carbonyl compound at a temperature of from 0.degree. to 50.degree. C. and the mixture is stirred for 2 to 120 hours at the indicated temperature. The crystallized transformation product is separated, hydrolyzed by treatment with an acid and the desired product is isolated.