Abstract: A process for the preparation of cis-2-alkenoic acid or an alkali metal salt thereof, comprising rearranging 1,3-dibromo-2-alkanone in an alkaline environment in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of an alkali metal salt of cis-2-alkenoic acid, and isolating from the reaction mixture cis-2-alkenoic acid, either in the form of the free acid or in the form of the alkali metal salt.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for obtaining propargyl bromide in high yield from propargyl alcohol and phosphorus bromide, in the form of a stable composition with alkylbromide.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for obtaining propargyl bromide in high yield from propargyl alcohol and phosphorus bromide, in the form of a stable composition with alkylbromide.

Abstract: A continuous process of preparing bromopicrin is disclosed. The process is effected by transferring a continuous flow of a first mixture and a continuous flow of a second mixture into a first reactor, the first mixture containing nitromethane and bromine and the second mixture containing an aqueous solution of an alkaline substance, to thereby obtain a reaction mixture which comprises bromopicrin in said first reactor; and collecting the bromopicrin from the reaction mixture. Highly pure bromopicrin obtained by this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Process of preparing high purity bromopicrin, and high purity bromopicrin produced therefrom. Providing a mixture of nitromethane and bromine, and preferably water, and absent of organic solvent. Adding an aqueous solution of an alkaline substance to the mixture, thereby providing a reaction mixture containing bromopicrin, the adding performed such that no excess of the alkaline substance occurs in the reaction mixture during the adding. Collecting the organic phase (containing the bromopicrin) from the reaction mixture. No need for subjecting the organic phase of the reaction mixture to distillation or extraction, for obtaining near quantitative yield of bromopicrin having purity of at least equal to or greater than 96 weight percent. Process parameters controlling selectivity of reaction forming bromopicrin are molar ratio of bromine and nitromethane in the mixture; reaction temperature while bromopicrin is formed; concentration of the alkaline substance in the aqueous solution; and reaction time.

Abstract: A continuous process of preparing bromopicrin is disclosed. The process is effected by transferring a continuous flow of a first mixture and a continuous flow of a second mixture into a first reactor, the first mixture containing nitromethane and bromine and the second mixture containing an aqueous solution of an alkaline substance, to thereby obtain a reaction mixture which comprises bromopicrin in said first reactor; and collecting the bromopicrin from the reaction mixture. Highly pure bromopicrin obtained by this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Process of preparing high purity bromopicrin, and high purity bromopicrin produced therefrom. Providing a mixture of nitromethane and bromine, and preferably water, and absent of organic solvent. Adding an aqueous solution of an alkaline substance to the mixture, thereby providing a reaction mixture containing bromopicrin, the adding performed such that no excess of the alkaline substance occurs in the reaction mixture during the adding. Collecting the organic phase (containing the bromopicrin) from the reaction mixture. No need for subjecting the organic phase of the reaction mixture to distillation or extraction, for obtaining near quantitative yield of bromopicrin having purity of at least equal to or greater than 96 weight percent. Process parameters controlling selectivity of reaction forming bromopicrin are molar ratio of bromine and nitromethane in the mixture; reaction temperature while bromopicrin is formed; concentration of the alkaline substance in the aqueous solution; and reaction time.

Abstract: Polybrominated bisaryl compounds containing bromomethyl or bromomethylene groups are provided, as well as flameproof polymeric formulations comprising the compounds. The novel compounds exhibit a good thermal stability, and are particularly suitable for flame-retarding polystyrene thermoplastic foams. A process for making the polybrominated bisaryl compounds is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a styrenic polymer composition comprising a flame-retardant effective amount of a compound of formula (I): (C6H(5-n)Yn)CH2X, wherein X is Cl or Br; Y is Cl or Br; and n is an integer between 1 and 5; or a mixture of two or more of said compounds of formula (I) or their homologues and derivatives or other Br-FRs.

Abstract: Polybrominated bisaryl compounds containing bromomethyl or bromomethylene groups are provided, as well as flameproof polymeric formulations comprising the compounds. The novel compounds exhibit a good thermal stability, and are particularly suitable for flame-retarding polystyrene thermoplastic foams. A process for making the polybrominated bisaryl compounds is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a styrenic polymer composition comprising a flame-retardant effective amount of a compound of formula (I): (C6H(5-n)Yn)CH2X, wherein X is Cl or Br; Y is Cl or Br; and n is an integer between 1 and 5; or a mixture of two or more of said compounds of formula (I) or their homologues and derivatives or other Br-FRs.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of p-fluorophenol, which comprises hydrolyzing p-bromofluorobenzene with a mixture of NaOH and Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 in the presence of a copper catalyst.

Abstract: Process for the production of p-bromofluorobenzene by the bromination of fluorobenzene, characterized in that the bromination is carried out with liquid bromine at temperatures below 0.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid (5-HIPA) that comprises hydrolyzing a starting material chosen from among 5-bromoisophthalic acid (5-BIPA), mixtures of 5-BIPA and dibromoisophthalic acid isomers, and salts of thereof in an aqueous alkaline solution, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a copper compound catalyst and in a temperature range of between 100.degree. and 270.degree. C.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: n=0 or 1;R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl groups, or R.sub.2 may be H when n=0; and Y is selected from the group: ##STR2## wherein: m=1-6Z=SO.sub.2, S, C=O, CH.sub.2 or C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ; and a process for their preparation are described.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl of high purity 4,4'-dibromobiphenyl is hydrolized in the presence of a copper compound catalyst, the insoluble materials comprising the catalyst is filtered off from the product mixture, 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl is precipitated by adjusting the pH and crude 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl separated from the product mixture is fractionally distilled to obtain substantially pure 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of mixtures of 2,3-dimethylphenol and 3,4-dimethylphenol a mixture of 2,3-dimethyl-bromobenzene and 3,4-dimethyl-bromobenzene is hydrolized in an aqueous alkaline solution in the presence of a copper compound catalyst of the formula:Cu.sub.(n) R.sub.(m)R represents --O or --OH or a residue of an inorganic or of an organic acid;n is 1 or 2; andm is 0, 1 or 2;the reaction being carried out at a temperature in the range between 200.degree. and 300.degree. C.