Abstract: A process for extracting from aqueous solution the alkali metal or ammonium salt of a phenol, naphthol, anthrol or phenanthrol or the corresponding thiol, which comprises contacting an aqueous alkaline or neutral solution of the alkali metal or ammonium salt, in which is dissolved an alkali metal or ammonium fluoride, chloride, bromide, hydroxide, nitrate, nitrite, sulphate, sulphite, sulphide, thiosulphate, phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, carbonate, bicarbonate, cyanate, cyanide, thiocyanate, borate, chlorate, chlorite, hypochlorite, perchlorate, chromate, dichromate or permanganate, with a partially water-miscible organic solvent so as to transfer aqueous solution of the alkali metal or ammonium salt of the phenol, naphthol, anthrol or phenanthrol or corresponding thiol into the solvent whilst retaining separate aqueous and solvent phases, and thereafter separating the solvent phase containing the alkali metal or ammonium salt and water from the aqueous phase, the ratio of solvent to water in the separated s

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 3-isochromanone which comprises contacting an o-xylene-&agr;,&agr;′-dihalide with carbon monoxide, in the presence of a catalyst and a hindered amine base in a liquid medium comprising water and a tertiary alcohol.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing a loaner car to a customer. In this method, the customer is provided with an appointment book maintained by the service center through a machine connected to a distributed computer network. The customer schedules a service appointment in the electronic appointment book and is prompted for a loaner car request. If the customer requests a loaner car, the request is pre-approved, a code for releasing car keys to the loaner car is established or received and then provided to the customer for opening a secure a lock box located at the service center. The car keys to the loaner car are released to the customer upon entry of the code at the lock box.

Abstract: A cantilever, bi-level platform satellite dispenser for supporting a plurality of independently deployable satellites in a dual platform arrangement. The dispenser includes a lower platform assembly having a center post extending therefrom. An upper platform assembly is secured to an opposite end of the center post, thus spacing the upper platform assembly elevationally from the lower platform assembly. Each of the upper and lower platform assemblies include a platform member upon which a plurality of satellites may be disposed and supported solely along bottom portions thereof. On the lower platform assembly the satellites are supported exteriorly of the center post, which enables access to the satellites on this platform even after same are secured thereto. The dispenser is lighter in weight than previously developed dispensers and eliminates the need for any external support structure to be carried by the dispenser or attached to the fairing.

Abstract: An electronic faucet having a spout, a electronically actuated valve, and a microprocessor-based control circuit for operating the valve to enable or disable water flow through the spout. The microprocessor has a control program which includes a calibration routine that uses an infra-red sensor to determine an adjustable setpoint indicative of the signal received from the sensor in the absence of an object in front of the faucet. The microprocessor switches the valve from its closed state to its open state when the signal from the sensor either increases above the setpoint by a selected amount or decreases below the setpoint by a selected amount. This provides a window about the setpoint within which differences between the setpoint and the signal do not result in opening of the valve. Object detection is accomplished using a tracking routine that adjusts the setpoint in an attempt to track the sensor signal.

Abstract: 3-Isochromanone is prepared by contacting an o-xylene-&agr;,&agr;′-dihalide with carbon monoxide in a two-phase liquid medium, in which one phase is aqueous and the other phase is water-immiscible, in the presence of a catalyst and a hindered amine base.

Abstract: An electronic faucet having a spout, a electronically actuated valve, and a microprocessor-based control circuit for operating the valve to enable or disable water flow through the spout. The microprocessor has a control program which includes a calibration routine that uses an infra-red sensor to determine an adjustable setpoint indicative of the signal received from the sensor in the absence of an object in front of the faucet. The microprocessor switches the valve from its closed state to its open state when the signal from the sensor either increases above the setpoint by a selected amount or decreases below the setpoint by a selected amount. This provides a window about the setpoint within which differences between the setpoint and the signal do not result in opening of the valve. Object detection is accomplished using a tracking routine that adjusts the setpoint in an attempt to track the sensor signal.

Abstract: 3-Isochromanome is prepared by reacting an o-xylene-&agr;,&agr;′-dihalide with carbon monoxide and water in the presence of a metal catalyst such that the pH of the reaction is maintained between about 7 and 11.

Abstract: A process for preparing agrochemical intermediates of formula (I), wherein W is (CH.sub.3 O).sub.2 CH.CHCO.sub.2 CH.sub.3 or CH.sub.3 O.CH.dbd.CCO.sub.2 CH.sub.3 ; Z.sup.1 is a halogen atom; and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-4 alky, C alkoxy, acetoxy or acyl; the process comprising the steps of: (a) reacting a compound of formula (II), wherein X, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are as defined above, with a compound of formula ROCH.sub.3, wherein R is a metal; and, (b) reacting the product of (a) with a compound of formula (III), wherein Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are halogen atoms. A process for the preparation of compounds of formula (II) and compounds of formula (II) themselves. A process for obtaining, in substantially pure form, a compound of formula (11) and compounds of formula (II) themselves. A process for obtaining, in substantially pure form, a compound of formula (11) wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are all hydrogen.

Abstract: 4,6-Dichloropyrimidine is prepared by treating 4,6-dihydroxypyrimidine with a chlorinating agent of the formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 PCl.sub.2 wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently alkyl or aryl, or one or more of the groups R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is linked to a polymer support. Conveniently, the chlorinating agent may be prepared in situ by reacting the corresponding phosphine oxide with phosgene. Thus, in a preferred process, 4,6-dichloropyrimidine is prepared by treating 4,6-dihydroxypyrimidine with phosgene in the presence of a phosphine oxide.

Abstract: A process for preparing (E)-methyl 2-[2-(6-(-cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy)phenyl]-3-methoxypropenoate comprising contacting (E)-methyl 2-[2-(6-chloropyrimidin-4-yloxy)phenyl]-3-methoxypropenoate or methyl 2-[2-(6-chloropyrimidin-4-yloxy)phenyl]-3,3-dimethoxypropanoate with 2-cyanophenate anions, the process being conducted in the absence of copper or a copper salt and in the absence of N,N-dimethylformamide. The 2-cyanophenate anions are generated in situ by reacting 2-cyanophenol with an alkali metal carbonate.

Abstract: A long life softball bat comprising a bat and a plurality of positional reference marks is disclosed and claimed. The positional reference marks provide a frame of reference which enables a user of the bat to distribute the impact force of a batted ball about the surface of said bat.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2-hydroxy-6-trifluoromethylpyridine which comprises reacting 2-fluoro-6-trifluomethylpyridine or a mixture of 2-fluoro-6-trifluoromethylpyridine and 2-chloro-6-trifluoromethylpyridine with an alkali metal hydroxide at a temperature of from 50.degree. C. to 160.degree. C. and acidifying the product so formed.

Abstract: A process for preparing 4,6-dihydroxypyrimidine comprising the steps:a) contacting formamide, an alkoxide of formula ROM and a malonate of formula CH.sub.2 (CO.sub.2 R).sub.2 in a solvent of formula ROH;b) adding water to the product of step (a);c) removing substantially all of the solvent of formula ROH from the product of step (b); andd) acidifying the product of step (c)wherein R is C.sub.1-4 alkyl and M is an alkali metal.

Abstract: A vang for producing a desired tension in the mainsail of a yacht employs, in association with a multi-sheave block and tackle system conferring mechanical advantage, a valve releasable, variable length, pressurized gas spring strut. Operation against a spring pre-load of the control valve of the strut by application of a force thereon, being a force derived by the block and tackle system from manual exertion on said block and tackle system, enables the gas spring strut to be released from the length at which it is currently held locked, by reason of closure of the control valve, for such extension or contraction as may be required to produce a desired force on the main-boom and a consequent tension in the leech of the mainsail. The length of the gas spring strut remains unaffected by closure of the valve following removal of the force on the block and tackle system.

Abstract: Methyl 2-(chloro- or bromomethyl)phenylacetate is prepared by treating 3-isochromanone with thionyl chloride or thionyl bromide in the presence of methanol.

Abstract: A process for preparing 4,6-dichloropyrimidine is described, comprising treating 4,6-dihydroxypyrimidine with phosphorus oxychloride in the presence of a saturated hindered amine, the hydrochloride salt of a saturated hindered amine, or an unsaturated 5-membered nitrogen containing ring or a mixture thereof, and, as a first step, directly extracting the 4,6-dichloropyrimidine so formed.

Abstract: A process for preparing 2-(6-substituted pyrid-2-yloxymethyl)phenyacetates especially useful as intermediates for producing agricultural fungicides. The invention provides a compound having the formula (I): wherein A and D are independently selected from the group comprising halo, hydroxy, halo(C.sub.1-4)alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, thio(C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, halo(C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, phenyl, phenoxy, nitro, amino, aclyamino, cyano, carboxy, C.sub.1-4 alkoxycarbonyl and C.sub.1-4 alkylcarbonyloxy, or D is C.sub.1-4 alkyl, and m is 0 or an integer of from 1 to 3. The process comprises treating a compound of formula (II): ##STR1## wherein A, D and m are defined as above and M is a metal atom, with a compound of formula (III): ##STR2## wherein L is a leaving group.

Abstract: 3-Isochromanone is prepared by reacting o-tolyacetic acid with sulphuryl chloride in the presence of a free radical initiator, e.g. AIBN, followed by ring closure of the 2-chloromethylphenylacetic acid so formed with a base, e.g. potassium bicarbonate.

Abstract: 2-Hydroxy-6-trifluoromethylpyridine is prepared by reacting 2-chloro-6-trifluoromethylpyridine with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide in a sealed vessel at a temperature of at least 140.degree. C. under autogenous pressure.