Abstract: A process for preparing a quaternary ammonium salt of a fibric acid, represented by the following reaction scheme: is carried out in a single operation starting from a phenol of formula (I), an ?-halogenated ester of formula (II) and a quaternary ammonium hydroxide of formula (III). This process makes it possible economically to prepare a choline salt of fenofibric acid in high purity that can be used directly as the active substance in a pharmaceutical composition intended for human consumption.

Abstract: A process for preparing a quaternary ammonium salt of a fibric acid, represented by the following reaction scheme: is carried out in a single operation starting from a phenol of formula (I), an ?-halogenated ester of formula (II) and a quaternary ammonium hydroxide of formula (III). This process makes it possible economically to prepare a choline salt of fenofibric acid in high purity that can be used directly as the active substance in a pharmaceutical composition intended for human consumption.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel diphosphines, in optically pure or racemic form, of formula (I): in which: R1 and R2 are a (C5-C7)cycloalkyl group, an optionally substituted phenyl group or a 5-membered heteroaryl group; and A is (CH2—CH2) or CF2. The invention further relates to the use of a compound of formula (I) as a ligand for the preparation of a metal complex useful as a chiral catalyst in asymmetric catalysis, and to the chiral metal catalysts comprising at least one ligand of formula (I).

Abstract: The invention relates to novel diphosphines, in optically pure or racemic form, of formula (I): 1

Abstract: R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5, each represents a hydrogen or halogen atom (at least one of R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 being other than hydrogen or halogen); optionally substituted amino; optionally halogenated or hydroxylated alkyl, alkoxy, alkylalkoxy or alkylthio; or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 (in the 3- and 4-positions) can together form a single divalent radical with 3 or 4 members containing 1 or 2 non-adjacent oxygen atoms; are useful as agricultural fungicides.

Abstract: Compounds of formula ##STR1## in which: CYCLE surrounded by a semicircle represents, with the two carbon atoms to which the semicircle is linked, a carbon-containing, optionally heterocyclic, ring containing at least one ethylenic or aromatic bond between the two carbon atoms which carry the --C(Z).dbd.Y group and the phenyl group, Y is oxygen or sulphur, Z is NR.sub.1 R.sub.2, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, each represents optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy or cycloalkyl; alkenyl or alkynyl; or --NR.sub.1 R.sub.2 represents saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl;R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5, each represents a hydrogen or halogen atom (at least one of R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 being other than hydrogen or halogen); optionally substituted amino; optionally halogenated hydroxylated alkyl, alkoxy, alkylalkoxy or alkylthio; or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 (in the 3- and 4-positions) can together form a single divalent radical with 3 or 4 members containing 1 or 2 non-adjacent oxygen atoms; are useful as agricultural fungicides.