Abstract: An improved process for preparing 2-bromoethyl acetate involves reacting ethylene glycol with an aqueous solution of hydrogen bromide and acetic acid in the presence of a solvent such as toluene which forms an azeotrope with water but not with 2-bromoethyl acetate. The resulting reaction mixture is heated under reflux conditions to separate toluene and water therefrom and acetic anhydride or acetic acid is added to convert bromoethanol in the reaction mixture to additional 2-bromoethyl acetate.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing a compound selected from among 2,4,6-triiodo-5-amino-N-alkylisophthalamic acid, salts thereof, esters thereof, 2,4,6-triiodo-5-amino-isophthalamide, 2,4,6-triiodo-5-amino-N-hydroxyalkyl-isophthalamide and 2,4,6-triiodo-5-amino-N,N'-bishydroxyalkyl-isophthalamide. A substrate selected from among 5-amino-N-alkylisophthalamic acid, salts thereof, esters thereof 5-amino-isophthalamide, 5-amino-N-hydroxyalkyl-isophthalamide and 5-amino-N,N'-bishydroxyalkylisophthalamide is reacted with an iodine halide in an aqueous reaction medium.

Abstract: Alpha-arylalkanoic esters are prepared by reacting a trivalent iodine compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein Ar is an aromatic hydrogen and X and Y each represent a group which can be removed as an anion, with a carbonyl compound of the formula ##STR2## where Ar.sup.1 is an aromatic hydrocarbon, R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, in the presence of an orthocarboxylic ester having the general formula ZC(OR.sup.2).sub.3, wherein R.sup.2 is an alkyl group and Z is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; the reaction being carried out in the presence of sulfuric acid in an amount from about 0.2 to about 0.8 mole per mole of the carbonyl compound.

Abstract: Alpha-arylalkanoic esters are prepared by reacting a trivalent iodine compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein Ar is an aromatic hydrocarbon and X and Y each represents a group which can be removed as an anion, with a carbonyl compound of the formula ##STR2## where Ar.sup.1 is an aromatic hydrocarbon, R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, in the presence of an orthocarboxylic ester having the general formula ZC(OR.sup.2).sub.3, wherein R.sup.2 is an alkyl group and Z is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; the reaction being carried out in a substantially anhydrous reaction mixture.