Abstract: An improvement in the alkoxylation of a compound having a reactive methylene group by contacting said compound with an orthoformic acid trialkyl ester in the presence of a catalyst, the improvement residing in employing at least 1.6 moles of orthoformic acid ester per mole of compound having a reactive methylene group and carrying out the process in the presence of a catalyst of the group of aliphatic carboxylic acids, anhydrides of aliphatic carboxylic acids, aromatic sulphonic acids, alkali metal alcoholates and alkanolamines.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of substituted acetic acids and derivatives thereof, having the formula ##STR1## wherein X is --COOH, --COOY or --CN,Y is --CH.sub.3 or --C.sub.2 H.sub.5,R.sub.1 is a saturated, branched or unbranched aliphatic radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a phenyl radical, or a phenyl radical substituted by alkyl or alkoxy groups, andR.sub.2 is hydrogen or a saturated, branched or unbranched aliphatic radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a phenyl radical, or a phenyl radical substituted by alkyl or alkoxy groups,wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may be the same or different which process comprises converting the corresponding malonic or cyanoacetic ester of the formula ##STR2## wherein Z is --COOY or --CN, andY, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are identified as above at elevated temperature in the presence of a catalyst, e.g., a catalyst containing from about 50 to 75 weight percent SiO.sub.2 and from 15 to 19 weight percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of an alkali metal alcoholate of a higher alcohol which comprises continuously introducing a higher alcohol into a reaction vessel, continuously introducing an alkali metal alcoholate of a lower alcohol into said reaction vessel and continuously and simultaneously distilling over and removing from said reaction vessel lower alcohol which forms.

Abstract: An improvement in the alkoxylation of a compound having a reactive methylene group by contacting said compound with an orthoformic acid trialkyl ester in the presence of a catalyst, the improvement residing in employing at least 1.6 moles of orthoformic acid ester per mole of compound having a reactive methylene group and carrying out the process in the presence of a catalyst of the group of aliphatic carboxylic acids, anhydrides of aliphatic carboxylic acids, aromatic sulphonic acids, alkali metal alcoholates and alkanolamines.

Abstract: Process of producing a naphthyridine or quinoline compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, and R.sub.6 can be alkyl, and R.sub.1 is nitrogen or CH. The corresponding pyridyl- or phenylaminomethylenemalonic acid diester is cyclized to yield said compound and an alcohol. The malonic acid diester at below reaction temperature is added to a solvent, e.g., diphenyl benzene, at above reaction temperature in proportion so that the mixture attains reaction temperature. Good yields at high throughputs are achieved.

Abstract: Preparation of alkoxymethylene malonic acid ester of formula: ##STR1## wherein R and each R' is an alkyl group, by reaction of malonic acid diester and ortho formic acid triester. The reaction is performed in the presence of a carboxylic acid or a carboxylic acid anhydride and a Lewis acid. The ortho ester is initially present in amount of at least 1,4 mols per mole of the malonic acid ester starting material. Alcohol formed during the reaction is removed during the reaction.

Abstract: A process for preparing a pyridylaminomethylenemalonic acid derivative of the formula: ##STR1## which comprises reacting together a pyridyl compound of the formula: ##STR2## an alkoxy compound of the formula: ##STR3## and a malonic acid derivative of the formula selected of the group of ##STR4## wherein: R.sub.5 and R.sub.7 are the groups -- OOR.sub.4 or OOR.sub.5 or .tbd.NR is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radical, preferably a C.sub.1 - C.sub.4 alkyl radical;R.sub.1, r.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radicals, preferably C.sub.1 - C.sub.2 alkyl radicals;R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are each independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radicals, preferably C.sub.1 - C.sub.8 alkyl radicalsAt a temperature of 60.degree. to 160.degree. C.