Abstract: A method of preparing 5-nitrofurfural diacetate which comprises nitration furfural or furfural diacetate at a temperature within the range of from -10.degree. to +10.degree. C; said nitration being effected by the gradual simultaneous addition of furfural or a furfural diacetate solution in acetic anhydride and a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids into acetic anhydride at a temperature within the range of from -10.degree. to +10.degree. C under continuous stirring of the reaction mixture. In doing so, molar proportions of furfural or furfural diacetate and nitric acid and sulphuric acid are maintained equal to 1:1.1-2:0.036-0.041 respectively and said compounds are added into acetic anhydride at such rates as to maintain the nitration reaction temperature at a predetermined level. The reaction mixture resulting from the nitration is treated with water at a weight ratio between water and the starting acetic anhydride ranging from 1.1:1 to 1.8:1 respectively and at a temperature within the range of from 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new substance, namely the hydrochloride of .beta.-phenyl- .gamma.-aminobutyric acid of the following formula: ##EQU1## and to the process for its production which comprises condensing malonic ester with .beta.-nitrostyrene resulting in the separation of an ester of .gamma.-carbomethoxy-.beta.-phenyl-.gamma.-nitrobutyric acid at a temperature ranging from 0.degree. to 14.degree.C, reducing the ester thus obtained with hydrogen in the presence of the Raney nickel under a pressure of 6 to 30 atm, treating 3-carbomethoxy-4-phenyl-2-pyrrolidone, as formed by the reduction, with hydrochloric acid, and separating the desired product.