Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, cycloalkyl, unsubstituted aralkyl, lower alkyl or halogen-substituted aralkyl or halogen-substituted alkenyl; R.sub.2 is lower alkyl; Y is hydrogen or methyl and X is lower alkyl; n is an integer of 1 to 5, and a method of producing these compounds. These compounds are eminently suited for killing weeds, injurious insects, nematodes and acaricides.

Abstract: Novel N-(3,5-dihalophenyl)imide compounds, which exhibit a strong antimicrobial activity against microorganisms including phytopathogenic fungi, parasites of industrial products and pathogenic microorganisms, represented by the formula, ##STR1## wherein X and X' each represent halogens and A represents a substituted ethylene such as chloroethylene, C.sub.1 - C.sub.4 alkylthioethylene, C.sub.1 - C.sub.2 alkyl-ethylene or 1,2-di-C.sub.1 - C.sub.2 -alkyl-ethylene, a cyclopropylene such as 1,3-dimethylcyclopropylene, trimethylene, a cyclohexylene-1,2-, cyclohexenylene-1,2-, cyclohexadienylene-1,2- or o-phenylene.The N-(3,5-dihalophenyl)imide compounds can be obtained by any of methods which produce imide compounds or reaction of an N-(3,5-dihalophenyl)maleimide compound with a mercaptan, a hydrogen halide, phosphorus chloride or thionylchloride.

Abstract: A process for preparing 5-methyl-2-nitrophenol from di-m-cresyl carbonate in high yield, by a specific combination of sulfonation, nitration, hydrolysis and steam distillation, is provided.