Abstract: A new, efficient process is provided for the production of 7.beta.-[(2D-2-amino-2-carboxy)-ethylthio-acetamido]-7.alpha.-methoxy-3-[( 1-methyl-1H-tetrazole-5-yl) thiomethyl]-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid useful as new antibacterial agent. This process is economic in using as the starting material the inexpensive, corresponding cephem compound containing no 7.alpha.-methoxy group on the cephem nucleus and comprises 7.alpha.-methoxylation of a protected derivative of the starting cephem compound with t-butyl hypochlorite and lithium methoxide, followed by inactivation of the excessive methoxylation reagents with a trialkyl phosphite and acetic acid to prevent undesired side-reactions such as oxidation of the alkylthioacetyl group of the product, and further by conventional removal of the protecting groups.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/JP78/00058 Sec. 371 Date June 15, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date June 15, 1979 PCT Field Dec. 18, 1978 PCT Pub. No. WO79/00405 PCT Pub. Date July 12, 1979This invention relates to a novel process for preparing D,L-2-amino-4-methylphosphinobutyric acid having herbicidal and antifungicidal activities which comprises subjecting acrolein to reaction with a dialkyl phosphonite to synthesize an acetal of an ester of 3-oxopropylmethylphosphinic acid; treating the thus obtained compound with an acid for deacetalization to obtain an ester of 3-oxopropylmethylphosphinic acid and then applying the Strecker's process used for amino synthesis to the thus obtained ester.

Abstract: 5-Substituted picolinic acid derivatives represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a straight or branched chain halogen-substituted alkyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms or a substituted phenyl group having the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a nitro group, an amino group, an N-alkyl-substituted amino group, an acylamino group, an acetyl group, an acyloxy group, a hydroxy group or a halogen-substituted alkyl group or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, when taken together, represent a polymethylene chain; and R.sub.