Abstract: The invention relates to herbicidal compositions containing a glyphosate type herbicide and a phenoxybenzoic type herbicide, preferably acifluorfen-sodium, the ratio by weight of phenoxybenzoic type herbicide:glyphosate type herbicide ranging between about 1:12 and about 1:80. The compositions are relatively fast-acting and resistant to being washed out during rainfall occurring shortly after application. The invention also relates to a method of weed control employing the compositions.

Abstract: Vitamin A alcohol and its lower alkanoic esters are prepared by desulphonation of corresponding sulphones with a solid potassium alcoholate of a primary or secondary lower alcohol at 10.degree. to 50.degree. C. in an anhydrous liquid hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of a juxtanuclear or extranuclear aromatic aldehyde, said process comprising effecting the catalytic reduction of the corresponding acid chloride using hydrogen in the presence of a palladium catalyst and a tertiary amide. The use of the tertiary amide increases the selectivity, activity and working life of the catalyst as compared with conventional processes and renders the use of catalyst regulators such as quinoline or sulphur-containing compounds unnecessary.

Abstract: Acetal sulphones useful as intermediates in the preparation of vitamin A and other terpene compounds are made by reacting a sulphone of the formula: ##STR1## with an .omega.-halogeno-acetal of an ethylenically unsaturated aldehyde of the formula: ##STR2## in which m and n each represent zero or 1 and are such that m+n=1, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5, which may be identical or different, represent hydrogen or straight or branched alkyl radical of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R.sub.6 represents straight or branched alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R represents straight or branched alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or arylalkyl containing a straight or branched alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or aryl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl or halogen, and R' represents hydrogen or, if m is zero, straight or branched alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Halogeno-acetals of ethylenically unsaturated aldehydes are prepared by reaction of an ethylenically unsaturated ester with a halogen cation chosen from Cl.sup.+, Br.sup.+ and I.sup.+ and an alcohol. The products are useful, inter alia, for introducing an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated aldehyde unit into a mono- or polyene radical.

Abstract: Halogeno-acetals of ethylenic aldehydes are made by reaction of a corresponding enoxysilane compound with a halogen cation and an alcohol. The products are useful inter alia in the synthesis of retinal and other unsaturated aldehydes.

Abstract: .alpha.-Halogeno-acetals of ethylenically-unsaturated aldehydes of the formula: ##STR1## are disclosed, which are prepared by reacting a hypohalite of a saturated aliphatic tertiary alcohol with an ethylenically-unsaturated aldehyde of the formula: ##STR2## in which: R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5, which may be identical or different, represent hydrogen or straight or branched alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms especially methyl or ethyl, X represents halogen, especially chlorine or bromine, R.sub.6 represents straight or branched alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms especially methyl or ethyl; and n represents zero or 1. Such .alpha.-halogeno acetals may be used to introduce an ethylenically-unsaturated aldehyde unit into a monoene or polyene radical.

Abstract: Aliphatic dialdehydes are prepared in good yield from the corresponding acid chlorides by reduction with hydrogen and a palladium catalyst in the presence of a tertiary amide.

Abstract: Combinations of a 2-nitro-5 (Substituted phenoxy) benzoic acid or derivative thereof, e.g. sodium acifluorfen with a derivative of 3,5-dihalo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile e.g. 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxy-benzonitrile (bromoxynil, especially in a salt form), exhibit unexpected synergistic herbicidal activity against several important weed species when applied post-emergence in important agronomic crops.