Abstract: A method for producing a cyclopropanecarboxylic acid compound represented by formula (VI) (wherein R denotes the same as below), which comprising reacting a compound represented by formula (V) (wherein R denotes a chain hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or the like, and R1 denotes a chain hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with a halogen atom or the like) with an alkali metal borohydride compound in the presence of a solvent.

Abstract: A process for preparing optically active nitro compounds and cyano compounds using a metal complex, which is obtained by reaction of an optically active nitrogen-containing compound and a periodic table group VIII metal complex, in the asymmetric Michael reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a ?-oxonitrile compound or an alkali metal salt thereof which comprises reacting a carboxylic ester represented by the formula (1): R1CO2R2??(1) wherein R1 and R2 each represent a group which does not participate in a reaction, provided that R2 excludes a hydrogen atom, with a nitrile compound represented by the formula (2): R3CH2CN??(2) wherein R3 represents an alkyl group, and a base at 145 to 300° C. in a sealed vessel to obtain an alkali metal salt of a ?-oxonitrile compound represented by the formula (3): wherein R1 and R3 have the same meanings as defined above, and neutralizing the same with an acid, if necessary.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a &bgr;-oxonitrile compound or an alkali metal salt thereof which comprises reacting a carboxylic ester represented by the formula (1):

Abstract: Imidazolidinone compounds of the formula: ##STR1## where R is a C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkylene group, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently H or C(.dbd.O)R.sup.4, R.sup.3 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group optionally substituted with one or more alkoxy groups or interrupted by one or more ether oxygen atoms, and R.sup.4 is a hydrocarbon group substituted with an active hydrogen functional group are useful as chain extending monomers providing pendant imidazolidinone functionality to polyurethane/urea and epoxy polymers. The subject imidazolidinone compounds may also be incorporated into polyester/polyamide polyols or reacted to prepare radically polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer and prepolymer compounds used in the synthesis of emulsion polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of high yields of 5-oxohexane nitriles with minimum formation of 1 undesired isomer. Such nitriles may be utilized as starting materials for the preparation of pharmaceutical and agrochemical intermediates and as well as final products. The process comprises reacting a methyl ketone and an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitrile in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a strong base. One of the products which may be created by the process is 2,4-dimethyl-5-oxohexane nitrile.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a 2-(2-cyanoethyl)-cyclopentanone by reaction of a cyclopentanone which contains at least one .alpha.-H atom with an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitrile in the presence of a catalytic amount of pyrrolidine as catalyst and optionally also a catalytic amount of an acid compound. A high selectivity and a high catalyst activity are achieved with the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of high yields of 5-oxohexane nitriles with minimum formation of 1 undesired isomer. Such nitriles may be utilized as starting materials for the preparation of pharmaceutical and agrochemical intermediates and as well as final products. The process comprises reacting a methyl ketone and an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitrile in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a strong base. One of the products which may be created by the process is 2,4-dimethyl-5-oxohexane nitrile.

Abstract: 2-Hydrocarbyl-3,6-dichloropyridines are prepared from dichloromethyl hydrocarbyl ketones and acrylonitrile in a two-step process involving an addition reaction under basic conditions to form intermediate 1,1-dichloro-3-cyanopropyl hydrocarbyl ketones and a subsequent cyclization reaction in the presence of hydrogen chloride. Thus, 3,6-dichloro-2-methylpyridine is prepared from 1,1-dichloro-2-propanone and acrylonitrile by the formation and further reaction of 4,4-dichloro-5-oxo-hexanenitrile. The intermediates and products are novel compounds useful in the preparation of herbicides and nitrification inhibitors.

Abstract: Novel aryl and heteroaryl 4-cyano-2,2,4-trichlorobutyrates are prepared by reacting a corresponding aryl or heteroaryl trichloroacetate with acrylonitrile in the presence of a catalyst. Also provided is a novel process for producing 3,5,6-trichloropyridin-2-ol comprising cyclization of an aryl or heteroaryl 4-cyano-2,2,4-trichlorobutyrate in an inert organic solvent at elevated temperatures, in the presence of anhydrous hydrogen chloride.