Abstract: A process for preparing p-nitroaromatic amides is provided which comprises contacting an amide and nitrobenzene in the presence of a suitable solvent system, and reacting the amide and nitrobenzene in the presence of a suitable base and a controlled amount of protic material at a suitable temperature in a confined reaction zone. The p-nitroaromatic amides of the invention can be reduced to p-aminoaromatic amides. In one embodiment, the p-aminoaromatic amide is further reacted with ammonia under conditions which produce the corresponding p-aminoaromatic amine and the amide starting material which can be recycled or with water in the presence of a suitable basic or acidic catalyst under conditions which produce the corresponding p-aminoaromatic amine and the acid or salt thereof corresponding to the amide starting material. In another embodiment, the p-aminoaromatic amine is reductively alkylated to produce alkylated p-aminoaromatic amine.

Abstract: A method of producing 4-ADPA is disclosed wherein aniline and nitrobenzene are reacted under suitable conditions to produce 4-nitrodiphenylamine and/or 4-nitrosodiphenylamine and/or their salts, either or both of which are subsequently reduced to produce 4-ADPA. The 4-ADPA can be reductively alkylated to produce p-phenylenediamine products which are useful as antiozonants.

Abstract: A solid state reference electrode stable in the presence of oxygen having an electrically conductive material in contact with substituted ferrocene/ferrocenium ions.