Abstract: Diphenyl ether derivatives of formula II ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkyl or haloalkyl group, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, which may be the same or different, each independently represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or an alkyl, haloalkyl, nitro or cyano group, and R.sub.6 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, useful as intermediates in the preparation of diphenyl ether herbicides, are prepared by treating a compound of formula III ##STR2## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are as defined above with a dicarboxylic acid of formula R.sub.6 --CH(COOH).sub.2, where R.sub.6 is as defined above, in the presence of an organic base.

Abstract: Diphenyl ether derivatives of formula II ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkyl or haloalkyl group, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, which may be the same or different, each independently represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or an alkyl, haloalkyl, nitro or cyano group, R.sub.4 represents an alkyl group and X represents an oxygen or sulphur atom, useful as intermediates in the preparation of diphenyl ether herbicides, are prepared by treating a compound of formula III ##STR2## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and X are as defined above and R.sub.6 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, with an alkali under hydrolyzing conditions.

Abstract: Photographic color developer compositions containing a primary aromatic amino color developing agent and an hydroxylamine are stabilized by incorporating therein certain polyamino stabilizing agents, such as N,N'-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid. Decomposition of the hydroxylamine, in the presence of heavy metals such as iron which act to catalyze the decomposition, and resultant formation of ammonia is effectively prevented by the presence in the developer composition of such stabilizing agents. Undesirable precipitate formation is also effectively avoided.