Abstract: A process for preparing 4,4'-bis-benz-ox(-thi,-imid)-azol-2-yl-stilbenes of the formula ##STR1## wherein R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 may be the same or different from each other and denote hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxycarbonyl, chlorine, bromine, nitro or sulfo and X denotes oxygen, sulfur or NH, which comprises reacting a (4-chloromethyl)-iminobenzoic acid alkyl ester of the formula ##STR2## wherein R denotes C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxyethyl, or HCl salts thereof, with o-aminophenol, o-aminothiophenol or o-phenylene diamine and reacting the resulting 2-benz-ox(-thi,-imid)-azolyl-4-chloromethyl-benzenes with potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide in a polar aprotic solvent.

Abstract: A process for preparing stilbenedicarbonitrile by dimerizing o- or p-cyanobenzyl chloride in a polar aprotic solvent in the presence of an excess of alkali metal hydroxide powder. Stilbenedicarbonitriles are precursors for the preparation of fluorescent brighteners of the bisbenzoxazolylstilbene class.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 4,4'-bis[benz(ox, othi or imid)azol-2-yl]stilbenes of the formula ##STR1## in which R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are identical or different and denote hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxycarbonyl, chlorine, bromine, nitro or sulfo and X denotes oxygen, sulfur or NH, by reacting alkyl (4-halomethyl)iminobenzoates of the formula ##STR2## or their HCl or HBr salts, R denoting C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxyethyl and X denoting Cl or Br, with o-aminophenol, o-aminothiophenol or o-phenylenediamine and allowing the 2-benz(ox, othi or imid)azol-4-ylhalomethylbenzenes obtained thereby to react with an approximately equivalent amount of sodium tert.-butylate. The stilbene compounds obtained thereby are used as optical brighteners.

Abstract: New alkyl (4-halomethyl)iminobenzoates of the formula ##STR1## and their HCl or HBr salts, R denoting C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxyethyl and X denoting Cl or Br. These compounds are prepared by reaction of p-cyanobenzyl chloride or p-cyanobenzyl bromide with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alcohol or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxyethanol in the presence of hydrogen chloride or bromide. The new imines serve as intermediate products, inter alia for the preparation of optical brighteners of the bisbenzoxazolylstilbene class.

Abstract: A shaped article, especially a tube-shaped article, including a chemically modified cellulose hydrate and water which comprises:(a) a chemically modified cellulose hydrate which comprises a reaction product obtainable by reacting a cellulose derivative selected from the group consisting of a cellulose hydrate, a chemical reaction product of a cellulose hydrate with an alkylamido-bis-dimethylene-triazinone-tetramethylol, a chemical reaction product of a cellulose hydrate with an alkylamino-bis-dimethylene-triazinone-tetramethylol and mixtures thereof, with a synthetic polymer containing recurring oxyalkylene units and at least one terminal group having the formula --CH.sub.2 --O--CO--NH--CH.sub.2 -OH and(b) water,Is disclosed. Such articles can be prepared by treating a shaped article wherein the cellulose derivative is in the gel state with a solution of the synthetic polymer prior to drying the article under heating. Tube-shaped articles are particularly suited as sausage casings.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of trans, trans-muconic acid by reacting a glyoxalacetal with ketene in the presence of an acid catalyst and hydrolyzing the .beta., .beta.'-dialkoxy-adipic acid-alkylester formed with alkali. By this new process trans, trans-muconic acid is easily obtained in better yield, which compound is an important intermediate for the production of 1,4-naphthalene-dicarboxylic acid esters.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of 1,4-naphthodinitrile, by reacting o-phenylene-diacetonitrile with a glyoxalbisaldimine. By this process the 1,4-naphthodinitrile is easily obtained in a one-step process. This compound is an important intermediate for the production of 1,4-naphthalene-dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##EQU1## IN WHICH R.sub.1 is alkyl, alkenyl, or alkylpheyl, R.sub.2 is a bivalent aromatic radical, and R.sub.3 is an alkylene, alkenylene, or alkylphenylene radical and A.sup.(.sup.-) stands for a halogen atom, are used as demulsifiers and corrosion inhibiting agents in crude oil refining.