Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided carboxylate compounds and liquid compositions thereof represented by the following formula (A) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents one group selected from the group consisting of alkyl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, alkoxy group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms and halogenated alkyl group of 6 to 18 carbon atoms, C* represents an asymmetric carbon atom, and R.sup.2 represents a group represented by the following formula (A)--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --CH.sub.3 or (B)--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --COOR.sub.3 wherein m represents an integer of 2 to 6, n represents an integer of 0 to 5, and R.sup.3 represents alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for producing p-nitroaniline, which comprises nitrating an .alpha.-methylbenzalaniline of the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and n is 0 or 1,with nitric acid in the presence of a halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent and sulfuric acid to form a p-nitro-.alpha.-methylbenzalaniline of the formula ##STR2## wherein R and n are as defined above, and hydrolyzing the p-nitro-.alpha.-methylbenzalaniline.