Abstract: An improvement is proposed in the method for the preparation of methyl chloride from carbon tetrachloride and methyl alcohol by the reaction including the partial reactions of, first, the hydrolysis reaction of carbon tetrachloride with water to form hydrogen chloride and carbon dioxide and, second, the reaction of methyl alcohol with hydrogen chloride, each in the presence of a solid catalyst of zinc chloride supported on active carbon. The uncontrollable temperature increase when these reactions are performed on a single catalyst bed can be avoided by conducting the first partial reaction in a first reaction zone with a feed of carbon tetrachloride and water alone and the second partial reaction is conducted in a separate second reaction zone into which the gaseous mixture from the first zone and methyl alcohol are introduced.

Abstract: The surface-modified polymethylsilsesquioxane spherical fine particles of this invention comprise polymethylsilsesquioxane spherical fine particles serving as nuclei, and at least one member of an alkyl group having two or more carbon atoms, an alkenyl group, a phenyl group, an epoxy group, an acryloxy group and an amino group is bonded to the surface of a particle. They are prepared by a process comprising the step of carrying out reaction in an aqueous suspension of polymethylsilsesquioxane fine particles in the presence of an alkali catalyst. The surface-modified spherical fine particles can have various organic groups on their surfaces, and are used in various fields such as rubbers, plastics, coating materials, inks, and cosmetics, depending on the types of the organic groups.

Abstract: A process for producing fine spherical silica, comprising a step of hydrolyzing an alkoxysilane in a mixed solution comprising water and alcohol and containing an alkaline catalyst, wherein the amount of said alkaline catalyst is 0.5 to 10 in molar ratio to the alkoxysilane used, the concentration of water in said mixed solution of water and alcohol in 5 to 20 mol/lit., and the reaction temperature for said hydrolysis is 30.degree. C. or more.According to this process, there can be obtained highly monodisperse spherical silica containing only a very small amount of impurities and having a particle size of 100 nm or less.