Abstract: Process for recovering metals from metal-containing wastes and materials, characterized in that the metal-containing waste is preferably introduced continuously into a process chamber, treated thermally with continuous intensive mixing, the organic components are continuously removed and subsequently oxidized and the metal-containing components, preferably as metal conglomerates, and the further inorganic metal-free components are discharged essentially continuously from the process chamber and a plant for carrying out the process.

Abstract: Process for recovering metals from metal-containing wastes and materials, characterized in that the metal-containing waste is preferably introduced continuously into a process chamber, treated thermally with continuous intensive mixing, the organic components are continuously removed and subsequently oxidized and the metal-containing components, preferably as metal conglomerates, and the further inorganic metal-free components are discharged essentially continuously from the process chamber and a plant for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation and purification of 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,3-trimethylindan-5-ol. Accordingly, isopropenylphenol, its dimers or oligomers undergo isomerization in the presence of an acid catalyst, the reaction mixture is optionally neutralized by adding a base and 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,3-trimethylindan-5-ol is isolated by recrystallization.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline bis-chlorocarbonic acid esters are 4-hydroxybenzoic acid-(4'-hydroxyphenyl) esters corresponding to the following formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 denote, independently of one another, hydrogen, a halogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl group. Preparation of (I) and liquid crystalline N-alkyl polyurethanes and polycarbonates prepared from (I) are other invention embodiments.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline bis-chlorocarbonic acid esters are 4-hydroxybenzoic acid-(4'-hydroxyphenyl) esters corresponding to the following formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 denote, independently of one another, hydrogen, a halogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl group. Preparation of (I) and liquid crystalline N-alkyl polyurethanes and polycarbonates prepared form (I) are other invention embodiments.

Abstract: Dispirotetradecanes of the formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently of each other alkyl containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms wherein one or more non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups may also be replaced by --O--, --CO--, --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --O--COO-- and/or --CH.dbd.CH-- (trans), one of the radicals R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 also being H, F, Cl, Br, I, CN, NO.sub.2, NCS,A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 are each independently of each other trans-1,4-cyclohexylene wherein one or two non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups may be replaced by --O-- and/or --S--, or 1,4-phenylene wherein one or more CH groups may also be replaced by N, with it also being possible optionally for A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 to be substituted laterally or axially by F, Cl, CN, CH.sub.3,Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are each independently of each other --C--O--, --O--CO--, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 O--, --OCH.sub.2 -- or a single bond,m and n are each 0, 1 or 2,(m+n) 0, 1 or 2,X.sup.1, X.sup.2, X.sup.3 and X.sup.