Abstract: Provided is a process for the production of 2-fluoroisobutyric acid or its ester, which comprises reacting 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid or its ester with thionyl chloride and a hydrogen fluoride source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a biguanide derivative useful as an intermediate for triazine-type herbicides, in which the biguanide derivative can be produced at high yields by reacting a phenoxyalkylamine salt with dicyandiamide in a solvent containing a paraffinic hydrocarbon having 8 to 15 carbon atoms, or by reacting a free phenoxylakylamine with a hydrogen halide in a solvent containing a paraffinic hydrocarbon having 8 to 15 carbon atoms and reacting the resultant a phenoxyalkylamine salt with dicyandiamide in the same solvent without isolating the phenoxyalkylamine salt.

Abstract: A process for producing a triazine derivative of the formula (III), ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, n is an integer of O to 2, R.sup.2 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkyl group, and X is a halogen atom,which comprises reacting a biguanide derivative of the formula, ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and n are as defined in the formula (III), and X' is a halogen atom,with a halocarboxylic acid ester of the formula, ##STR3## wherein R.sup.2 and X are as defined in the formula (III), and R.sup.3 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group,in the presence of a base, wherein a dehydrating agent is present in the reaction system, and processes for producing 2-fluoroisobutyric acid ester as an intermediate compound for the production of the triazine derivative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula given below, a herbicide with the derivative as the active ingredient and a method for the preparation of the derivative. ##STR1## [In the formula, X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a haloalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 1, 2 or 3 and A is --O--CR.sup.3 R.sup.4 --, --S--CR.sup.3 R.sup.4 --, --SO--CR.sup.3 R.sup.4 --, --SO.sub.2 --CR.sup.3 R.sup.4 -- or --SO.sub.2 --NR.sup.3 --. And, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.]These compounds are prepared depending on A in the above given general formula by the reaction of an amine derivative and a trifluoromethanesulfonyl halide or trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride or by the oxidation of a thiochroman ring-containing trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative.

Abstract: A front body structure for an automobile body having a front wheel apron constituting a side wall of an engine room and supporting a suspension comprises a front frame extending in a lengthwise direction of the front body and connected to a lower portion of the front wheel apron. The front wheel apron is provided with side extension laterially overhanging therefrom and extending in the lengthwise direction between which an intermediate space is formed. A stiffener is disposed in the intermediate space and secured to the side extensions and has a rigidity higher than the front wheel apron. The front wheel apron is accompanied with a reinforcement which extends a the lengthwise direction of the front body over the upper portion of the front wheel apron and is connected to the side extension and the stiffener to form a closed cross-section in cooperation therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula given below, a herbicide with the derivative as the active ingredient and a method for the preparation of the derivative. ##STR1## [In the formula, X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a haloalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 1, 2 or 3 and A is --O--CR.sup.3 R.sup.4 --, --S--CR.sup.3 R.sup.4 --, --SO--CR.sup.3 R.sup.4 --, --SO.sub.2 --CR.sup.3 R.sup.4 -- or --SO.sub.2 --NR.sup.3 --. And, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.]These compounds are prepared depending on A in the above given general formula by the reaction of an amine derivative and a trifluoromethansulfonyl halide or trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride or by the oxidation of a thiochroman ring-containing trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative.

Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of granules from fine powder in which a shaft is mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis of a cylindrical housing, a screw conveyor blade is mounted on the shaft to convey powder entering the housing through an inlet to a plurality of stirring pins which are arranged in a double helix along the shaft in a granulation zone of the housing, a disc being attached to the shaft to partially close the cross-section of the housing in a mid-portion of the granulation zone.