Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing beta-bromoethyl aromatic compounds comprising reacting hydrogen bromide with a vinyl aromatic compound in the presence of an azo radical initiator to effect the antimarkovnikoff addition of HBr to the vinyl double bond.

Abstract: 3-Fluorosalicylaldehyde may be prepared in a more economical manner by alkylating o-fluorophenol with an allyl halide such as allyl chloride, thereafter rearranging the resultant o-fluorophenyl allyl ether to form allyl-o-fluorophenol. The latter compound is then isomerized to form propenyl-o-fluorophenol. Thereafter this compound is subjected to ozonolysis at a subambient temperature to form the desired compound, namely, 3-fluorosalicylaldehyde.

Abstract: The electrochemical oxidation of alkoxy-substituted aromatic compounds in which a desired position isomer is obtained may be effected by treating the aromatic compound with an aliphatic acid containing at least 4 carbon atoms in the presence of a phase transfer agent, said reaction being effected in an electrochemical cell. In the present invention the position isomer which comprises the para compound is prepared by treating a substituted aromatic compound such as anisole with a bulky acid such as pivalic acid in an electrochemical cell whereby the desired oxidized product is recovered on the anode.

Abstract: Acrylamide may be prepared by the hydrolysis of acrylonitrile by treating the acrylonitrile with water in the presence of a copper catalyst which has been prepared by volatilizing copper metal at a temperature in the range of from about 1000.degree. to about 1500.degree. C. in vacuo and condensing the vapors in the presence of an organic solvent.

Abstract: Mixtures of isomeric ortho and para alkylated phenols or phenolic ethers may be separated without extensive distillation by treating a mixture of the isomers with a polyalkylene polyamine such as hexamethylenetetramine in the presence of a protonic solvent at sub-ambient temperatures.

Abstract: Diphenylmethane may be synthesized in relatively higher yields than has hereinbefore been obtained by reacting dibenzyl ether with benzene in the presence of protonic acid catalysts which contain a phosphoric acid.

Abstract: Polymerizable monomers are photopolymerized by subjecting the monomer to the emission from an ultra-violet light source in the presence of a photosensitizing compound and an activating compound .It has now been discovered that certain types of substituted acetophenones will act as both a sensitizer and an activator thus eliminating the presence of more than one compound in the monomer.

Abstract: Cis-anethole is isomerized to the trans-anethole form thereof by treatment with a rhodium-containing compound such as rhodium chloride in an alcoholic medium at the reflux temperature of said medium to form the desired trans isomer.

Abstract: A process for producing halosubstituted derivatives of acetophenone from the respective halocumenes, the term "halo" as used herein, signifying chlorine or bromine, the molecule containing 1 to 3 nuclear halo substituents in the meta- and/or paraposition relative to the isopropyl group. The process comprises oxidizing the halocumene by means of air or oxygen. The oxidation is effected in the presence of a metal phthalocyanine complex as catalyst, and in a most preferred embodiment, in the co-presence of a dichlorobenzene solvent. The preferred halocumenes are p-chlorocumene and p-bromocumene.