Abstract: Reaction of glyoxylic acid with a C.sub.3 to C.sub.6 alcohol capable of forming an azeotrope with water to form the C.sub.3 to C.sub.6 alkyl glyoxylate or alkyl glyoxylate alkyl hemiacetal, reacting the intermediate with acrylamide and optionally with a C.sub.3 to C.sub.6 alcohol to form the C.sub.3 to C.sub.6 alkyl acrylamidoglycolate or alkyl acrylamidoglycolate alkyl ether in essentially polymer free form which are readily converted by transesterification/etherification or transesterification/transetherification with methanol into predominately methyl acrylamidoglycolate methyl ether preferably in liquid form.

Abstract: Arylphosphinic acids are prepared by reacting an aryl compound with phosphorus trichloride in the presence of aluminum trichloride to form a first reaction product, adding the first reaction product to water to precipitate a second reaction product and then treating the second reaction product sequentially with a halogenating agent and with water to form the arylphosphinic acid.

Abstract: Cyanohydrin esters are prepared by reacting a carboxylic acid anhydride represented by the formula ##STR1## with an alkali metal cyanide and an alkali metal borohydride.

Abstract: Thienylglyoxylic acids and/or amides thereof are prepared by reacting thiophene carboxylic acid chloride with sodium cyanide and hydrolyzing the resulting product in a strong mineral acid.

Abstract: Cyanohydrin esters are prepared by reacting an acyl cyanide represented by the structure ##STR1## with an acyl cyanide represented by the structure ##STR2## and an alkali metal borohydride.

Abstract: Glyoxylic acids or derivatives thereof are prepared by reacting an acyl nitrile compound with concentrated sulfuric acid in the presence of halide anion to form a first reaction product and then further reacting the first reaction product with a compound of the general formula ROH to form the desired glyoxylic acid or glyoxylic acid derivative.

Abstract: Cyanohydrin esters are prepared by forming a mixture of an acyl cyanide, a carboxylic acid anhydride and an alkali metal borohydride and reacting the mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form the cyanohydrin ester product of the acyl cyanide and carboxylic acid anhydride.

Abstract: Cyanohydrin esters are prepared by reacting an acyl halide represented by the structure ##STR1## with an acyl halide represented by the structure ##STR2## an alkali metal cyanide and an alkali metal borohydride.

Abstract: Acyl cyanides are prepared by reacting the corresponding acyl halides with an alkali cyanide in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of cuprous oxide, elemental copper, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Alkoxymethylbenzophenones having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrocarbon of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkoxy-substituted alkylene where the alkylene moiety has 2 to 12 carbon atoms and the alkoxy 1 to 12 carbon atoms or --(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n --R" wherein R" is alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms and n is an integer from 2 to 5; R' is hydrogen, halogen or --CH.sub.2 OR; and x and y are independently selected integers from 1 to 5. The alkoxymethylbenzophenones are useful photoinitiators for compositions comprising photopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated compounds.

Abstract: Butyl-p-benzoylbenzoates are prepared by reacting a 4-(trichloromethyl) benzophenone with a butanol in the presence of an acid catalyst. These butyl-p-benzoylbenzoates are valuable photoinitiators for the polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers.