Abstract: The present invention concerns the compounds of formula (I) their N-oxides, salts, stereoisomeric forms, racemic mixtures, prodrugs, esters and metabolites, wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; R1is H, CN, halo, aminoC(?O), C(?O)OH, C1-4alkyloxyC(?O), C1-4alkylC(?O), mono- or di(C1-4alkyl)aminoC(?O), arylaminoC(?O), N-(aryl)-N—(C1-4alkyl)aminoC(?O), methanimidamidyl, N-hydroxy-methanimidamidyl, mono- or di(C1-4alkyl)methanimidamidyl, Het1 or Het2; R2 is H, C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C3-7cycloalkyl, wherein said C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl and C3-7cycloalkyl may be optionally substituted; R3 is nitro, cyano, amino, halo, hydroxy, C1-4alkyloxy, hydroxyC(?O), aminoC(?O), C1-4alkyloxyC(?O), mono- or di(C1-4alkyl)aminoC(?O), C1-4alkylC(?O), methanimidamidyl, mono- or di(C1-4alkyl)methanimidamidyl, N-hydroxy-methanimidamidyl or Het1; for use as a medicine. The invention further relates to a novel subgroup of the compounds of formula (I), and to compositions comprising compounds of formula (I).

Abstract: A process for reducing the odor of sulfolane fluid comprises contacting the fluid with and oxidizing agent under conditions sufficient to effect the substantial reduction of odor in the fluid.

Abstract: A method of preparing a thiophene comprises reacting an organic compound containing a chain of at least 4 C atoms linked by single or double bonds with a source of sulphur in the vapor phase, in the presence of a supported catalyst, the catalyst having the composition(Fe.sub.0-1 M.sub.1-0)O.sub.nwherein M is a metal of Group VA, VIA or VIIA; and n is an appropriate value.

Abstract: A process for producing sulfolane compounds is provided which comprises: (1) contacting a conjugated diene with sulfur dioxide under conditions sufficient to synthesize a sulfolene compound whereby a mixture of the sulfolene compound and impurities comprising unreacted sulfur dioxide is produced; (2) transferring the mixture to an impurities removal vessel containing a freezing point depressant which comprises an aromatic compound; (3) removing the impurities; (4) transferring the impurities-reduced sulfolene compound to a hydrogenation reactor; (5) contacting the impurities-reduced sulfolene compound with hydrogen, in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, under conditions sufficient to produce a sulfolane compound; and (6) optionally recovering the sulfolane compound.

Abstract: Disclosed are azo compounds having the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.4 is straight or branched lower alkylene, Z is 1-3 groups selected from such heteroatom groups as --OH, lower alkanoyloxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxyalkoxy, mono- or dialkylamino, --CN, carbamoyl, formamide, lower alkyl substituted carbamoyl, lower alkoxycarbonylamino, lower alkanoylamino, hydroxy substituted lower alkoxy, halogen, lower alkylthio, lower alkylsulfonyl, and various heterocyclic groups such as furyl and pyrrolidono, R is selected from straight or branched lower alkyl, phenyl and phenyl substituted with straight or branched lower alkyl, halogen, or straight or branched lower alkoxy, R.sup.2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, and A is an aniline, tetrahydroquinoline, or benzomorpholine coupler component which may be substituted with a wide variety of groups.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of 2,5-bis-(benzoxazolyl)-thiophenes of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 represent hydrogen or certain non-chromophoric substituents and each of R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group or together they represent a trimethylene or tetramethylene radical, by reacting a sulphide of the formula ##STR2## with a dicarbonyl compound of the formula ##STR3## or with a derivative thereof is described.