Abstract: Hydrocarbons are oxychlorinated by reaction with gaseous HCl and an oxygen-containing gas, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a ternary copper/molybdenum chalcogenide having the formula:Cu.sub.x Mo.sub.6 Ch.sub.8wherein x is a number ranging up to 4 and Ch is sulfur, selenium or tellurium, advantageously, in the added presence of a known oxychlorination catalyst and, optionally, a proportion of inert particulate solids; the ternary molybdenum chalcogenides of the formula M.sub.x Mo.sub.6 S.sub.8 are also prepared, wherein M is a metal, advantageously by the hydrogen gas reduction of intimate admixture of MoS.sub.2 and metal M, or precursors thereof.

Abstract: A hybrid superconductive fiber or strand comprises at least two layers surrounding a core wherein the fiber or strand comprises two superconductive materials. One of the superconductive materials is a Chevrel phase, optionally doped, which constitutes one of the layers or the core. The other superconductive material, other than the Chevrel phase, constitutes another layer, optionally lacunar, or the core.

Abstract: A device for opening and closing a data carrier exit slit. The device includes a mobile door disposed at the level of the slit so as to cover it and a mechanism for raising and lowering the door, so that the door occupies a raised position in which the slit is open, thus allowing the carrier to leave and a lowered position in which the slit is sealingly closed, thus preventing the carrier from leaving.