Abstract: A 3-methylthiopropanal is produced by a method comprising the step of supplying an acrolein and a methyl mercaptan together or sequentially with an acidic compound and a basic compound into a reaction system to react the acrolein with the methyl mercaptan, wherein the basic compound is used in an amount of about 0.3 mol or less per mol of the acidic compound. In accordance with the present invention, a 3-methylthiopropanal with high quality is produced while suppressing the production of by-products having high boiling points.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid comprising the following steps (1) to (4): (1): hydrolyzing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyronitrile in the presence of sulfuric acid, (2): separating the reaction mixture obtained in the step (1) into an oil layer containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid and a water layer, (3): concentrating the oil layer obtained in the step (2), and (4) heating the concentrated product obtained in the step (3).

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid comprising the following steps (1) to (4): (1): hydrolyzing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyronitrile in the presence of sulfuric acid, (2): separating the reaction mixture obtained in the step (1) into an oil layer containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid and a water layer, (3): concentrating the oil layer obtained in the step (2), and (4) heating the concentrated product obtained in the step (3).

Abstract: A 3-methylthiopropanal is produced by a method comprising the step of supplying an acrolein and a methyl mercaptan together or sequentially with an acidic compound and a basic compound into a reaction system to react the acrolein with the methyl mercaptan, wherein the basic compound is used in an amount of about 0.3 mol or less per mol of the acidic compound. In accordance with the present invention, a 3-methylthiopropanal with high quality is produced while suppressing the production of by-products having high boiling points.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, Y is a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, Z is a methylene group or a group of the formula: N--R.sub.5 (in which R.sub.5 is a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 alkenyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 alkynyl group, a halo(C.sub.2 -C.sub.6)alkyl group or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxycarbonylmethyl group), R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 alkenyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 alkynyl group, a halo(C.sub.2 -C.sub.6)alkyl group, a halo(C.sub.3 -C.sub.7)alkenyl group, a cyano(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl group or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxycarbonylmethyl group, R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group; R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are, the same or different, each is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group; n is an integer of 0 or 1, which is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 alkenyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 alkynyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkoxy (C.sub.1 -C.sub.2) alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkylthio (C.sub.1 -C.sub.2) alkyl group or a mono- or polyfluoro-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3) group, X is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylene group which may be substituted with at least one methyl or a --OCH.sub.2 -- group and n is an integer of 0, 1 or 2, which is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkenyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkynyl group or a C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl group, which is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 alkenyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 alkynyl group, a halo(C.sub.1 -C.sub.5)alkyl group, a halo(C.sub.3 -C.sub.4) alkenyl group, a halo(C.sub.3 -C.sub.4)alkynyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkylthio(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkyl group and R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, which is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 alkenyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 alkynyl group, a halo(C.sub.1 -C.sub.5)alkyl group, a halo(C.sub.3 -C.sub.4) alkenyl group, a halo(C.sub.3 -C.sub.4)alkynyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkylthio(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkyl group and R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, which is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 alkenyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 alkynyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkoxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkylthio(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkyl group or a mono- or polyfluoro(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl group, X is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylene group which may be substituted with at least one methyl or a --OCH.sub.2 -- group and n is an integer of 0, 1 or 2, which is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 alkenyl group, or a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 alkynyl group, and X is a chlorine or bromine atom, is disclosed. These compounds are useful as intermediates in the production of herbicidal 3-chlorotetrahydroindazoles.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein A is a nitrogen-containing group selected from the group consisting of --NO.sub.2, --NH.sub.2, --N.dbd.C(NH.sub.2)--S--, and --NH--CO--S; X is a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom; and R.sup.2 is a t-butyl group or a 1-methylcyclopropyl group. These compounds are useful as intermediates in the production of herbicidal benzothiazolone compounds.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkenyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkynyl group or a C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl group, which is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom or a methyl group and R.sub.2 is as C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxy group, a chloro(C.sub.2 -C.sub.4)alkoxy group, a dichloro(C.sub.2 -C.sub.4)alkoxy group, a cyclo(C.sub.3 -C.sub.7)alkoxy group, a phenoxy group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkylthio group or a di(C.sub.1 -C.sub.5)alkylamino group, which is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkenyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkynyl group or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkoxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl group, X is a nitrogen atom or a methine group and Y is a sulfur atom or an oxygen atom, which is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 alkenyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 alkynyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkoxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkylthio(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkyl group or a mono- or polyfluoro(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl group, X is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylene group which may be substituted with at least one methyl or a --OCH.sub.2 -- group and n is an integer of 0, 1 or 2, which is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 alkenyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 alkynyl group, a halo(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl group, a halo(C.sub.3 -C.sub.4)alkenyl group, a halo(C.sub.3 -C.sub.4)alkynyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkoxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2) alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkoxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkoxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkyl group, a cinnamyl group, a cyano(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl group, a carboxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxycarbonyl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl group, a halo(C.sub.1 -C.sub.5)alkoxycarbonyl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkoxyalkoxycarbonyl(C.sub. 1 -C.sub.3)alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkoxy (C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkoxycarbonyl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxycarbonyl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)-alkoxycarbonyl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl group, a cyclo(C.sub.3 -C.sub.6)alkoxycarbonyl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkylaminocarbonyl(C.sub.1 -C.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 alkenyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 alkynyl gorup, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2) alkyl group, a halo(C.sub.1 -C.sub.5)alkyl group, a halo(C.sub.3 -C.sub.4)alkenyl group or a halo(C.sub.3 -C.sub.4)alkynyl group, which is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 alkenyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 alkynyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 haloalkenyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 haloalkynyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkoxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkyl group or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkoxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkoxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkyl group, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl group or a phenyl group, X is a hydrogen atom, a chlorine atom or a fluorine atom and n is an integer of 0 or 1, which is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 alkenyl group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 alkynyl group, a halo(C.sub.1 -C.sub.5)alkyl group, a halo(C.sub.3 -C.sub.4)alkenyl group, a halo(C.sub.3 -C.sub.4)alkynyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkylthio(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkyl group and R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, which is useful as a herbicide.