Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing an ester of an aromatic carboxylic acid bearing at least one perfluoroalkyl group on the aromatic ring and, more specifically, alkyl esters with low carbon condensation. The inventive method is characterised in that it consists in (i) reacting an aromatic compound bearing at least one perfluoroalkyl group and at least one nitrile group on the aromatic ring, an alkanol and a strong protonic acid at a temperature of at least 45° C. and (ii) recovering the ester thus produced.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for displacing, at least partially, an aniline from its chlorhydrate, characterized in that said aniline is selected among anilines whereof the conjugate acid has a pKa not more than 6 and in that it consists in a step wherein it is subjected at a temperature not less than 50° C., advantageously about 70° C. to a reaction medium containing said chlorhydrate at least partially dissolved in a weakly polar solvent. The invention is applicable to organic synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for acylation of an aromatic compound. The acylation process of the invention consists of reacting the aromatic compound with an acylation agent in the presence of a zeolitic catalyst, and is characterized in that it consists of: mixing the aromatic compound and the acylation compound in any manner; passing said mixture over a catalytic bed comprising at least one zeolite; recirculating the reaction mixture from the catalytic bed over the catalytic bed for a number of times which is sufficient to obtain the desired degree of conversion of the substrate.

Abstract: Carbocyclic/aliphatic ethers, for example anisole, quaicol, guaethol, p-methoxyphenol and ethylene dioxybenzene, are selectively prepared, in good yield, by reacting a phenolic compound, for example a phenol, hydroquinone, pyrocatechin, naphthol, or the like, with an alcohol, for example methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, etc., in gaseous phase, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a trivalent rare earth metal orthophosphate, for example a lanthanum, cerium or samarium orthophosphate, optionally doped with an alkali or alkaline earth metal, preferably cesium.

Abstract: Citraconic anhydride is prepared in a single step by heating itaconic acid, optionally in an inert organic solvent medium, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of an at least partially organic acid/base catalyst compound having a pKa ranging from 4 to 10, in particular a salt catalyst such as pyridinium tosylate, itaconate or hydrochloride, ammonium itaconate, or phosphinium hydrobromide.

Abstract: The alkyl hydroquinones, e.g., methyl hydroquinone (a useful intermediate in the preparation of the monomer methyl hydroquinone diacetate, itself used for the synthesis of thermotropic polymers), are prepared by reacting (C-alkylating) hydroquinone or a monoether thereof with a lower alkanal, in the vapor phase, with a catalytically effective amount of at least one solid metal oxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to chemical compounds and their use as catalysts in the solvolysis of alkyl halides. The chemical compounds, when dry, have formula (I):(EO.sub.4 M).multidot.(Imp)p (I)wherein E is selected from the group consisting of phosphorus, arsenic, antimony and bismuth, and is preferably phosphorus, and M is a metal or a mixture of metals.Imp corresponds to a basic impregnating compound consisting of alkaline earth metal, or preferably alkali metal, and their mixtures in combination with a counter-anion to ensure electrical neutrality.The coefficient p is between 10.sup.-2 and 1/3.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of halophenols. A halobenzene is brought into contact with nitrous oxide on an acidified zeolite.

Abstract: Phenol is prepared by directly hydroxylating benzene with nitrous oxide, preferably in vapor phase, on a substrate of acidified zeolite particulates, advantageously ZSM-5 zeolite particulates, and such acidified zeolite particulates having a molar ratio SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 of greater than about 90, preferably up to 500.

Abstract: Polyhydroxybenzenes, e.g., the dihydroxybenzenes, are prepared by directly hydroxylating a phenol with nitrous oxide, preferably in vapor phase, on a substrate of acidified zeolite particulates, advantageously ZSM-5 zeolite particulates, and such acidified zeolite particulates advantageously having a molar ratio SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 of greater than about 90, preferably up to 500.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of trifluoroethanol by hydrolysis, in the gas phase, of chlorotrifluoroethane. A gaseous mixture of 1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane and water is contacted with a solid catalyst and taken to a temperature greater than 350.degree. C. and preferably between 400.degree. and 500.degree. C. 2,2,2-Trifluoroethanol (TFE) is a trifluorinated alcohol possessing very good thermal stability, which makes it suitable for a certain number of applications, in particular in the synthesis of fluorinated anesthetics, in pharmacology in general, and as a solvent.