Abstract: Electron-rich aromatic compounds are selectively brominated in good yield in the presence of water using potassium tribromide as the brominating agent. In this way monobromination is favored and dibromination is suppressed as compared to the use of elemental bromine as the brominating agent.

Abstract: In a vapor deposition process (e.g. MOCVD) for producing an arsenic-containing film on a substrate by thermally decomposing at least a vaporous organo arsenic compound upon a heated substrate, the improvement wherein the organo arsenic compound consists essentially of a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 monoalkylarsine carried to the heated substrate by means of a flow of an inert carrier gas.

Abstract: Silicon halides and silicon hydrohalides, such as SiCl.sub.4, SiBr.sub.4, and SiHCl.sub.3 react with alkali metal aluminum hydrides such as NaAlH.sub.4 and LiAlH.sub.4 in the presence of a hydrocarbon reaction medium; e.g., toluene, and a tetraalkyl ammonium salt, and in the substantial absence of an ether, to produce silane and a metal aluminum halide co-product which is not tightly complexed to an organic substance.

Abstract: Vanadium oxytrihalide (e.g., VOCl.sub.3) is reacted with alkali metal alkoxide (e.g., NaOEt) in the presence of a diluent (e.g., EtOH) that boils below the boiling point of the organic vanadate being produced. The diluent is then distilled from the reaction mixture and thereafter the organic vanadate is distilled from a suspension of the reaction products in an inert liquid hydrocarbon (e.g., mineral oil) that boils above the boiling point of the organic vanadate produced. This higher boiling hydrocarbon is preferably added to the reaction mixture after the diluent has been distilled off. The process avoids hydrogen halide evolution and consequent need for gaseous ammonia. Solvent extractions are not required, the process may be conducted in a single reactor, and the products are readily formed in high yields.

Abstract: Metal alkyls such as trimethyl arsine are made in improved yields by reacting a metal halide, e.g. AsCl.sub.3, with a Grignard reagent such as methyl magnesium bromide complexed with a polyether such as di(2-methoxyethyl)ether.