Abstract: There is provided a novel and efficient stereoselective total synthesis of epipodophyllotoxin and related epipodophyllotoxin compounds of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each are independently hydrogen or (lower)alkoxy, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, taken together, is methylenedioxy; R.sup.4 and R.sup.6 each are independently hydrogen or (lower)alkoxy; and R.sup.5 is hydrogen or a phenol-protecting group; or an acid addition salt thereof. The present invention also provides novel intermediates and processes for the preparation of said intermediates, which are then converted into known antineoplastic agents.

Abstract: Novel cyclohexenonecarboxylic acid derivatives exhibit herbicidal and plant growth regulating activity.The cyclohexenonecarboxylic derivatives are of the formula I ##STR1## wherein A is an aliphatic or aromatic alcohol, or is an amino group which may be substituted by halogen, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, nitro or cyano, or is a heterocyclic amino group which is unsubstituted or substituted,R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl, each unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylthio,R.sub.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkenyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 haloalkenyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkynyl,B is an aliphatic or aromatic radical or is an aliphatic or aromatic carbonyl or sulfonyl group which may be substituted by halogen, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, nitro or cyano.The compounds are suitable for selectively controlling grasses in crops of useful plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to new 2,3,4-trinor-1,5-inter-m-phenylene-PGI.sub.2 derivatives of the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein A stands for carboxy, cyano, tetrazolyl or --COOR.sup.3 or --CONR.sup.1 R.sup.2 ;R.sup.3 is C.sub.1-4 alkyl or an equivalent of a pharmacologically acceptable cation:R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each stands for hydrogen, phenyl; C.sub.1-5 alkyl, optionally substituted by carboxy, hydroxy, phenyl or C.sub.2-5 alkoxycarbonyl; or C.sub.1-4 alkylsulfonyl; orR.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together form an .alpha.,.omega.-alkylene chain containing 3-6 carbon atoms;B stands for oxygen or methylene;Y is optionally bromo-substituted vinylene or a --C.tbd.C-- group:R.sup.4 stands for hydrogen or tetrahydro-pyran-2-yl;R.sup.5 represents an alkyl group containing 5-9 carbon atoms, which can be optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen atom(s) or --CH.dbd.CH-- or --C.tbd.

Abstract: New liquid-crystalline esters of the 4-[(4-alkyl-cyclohexyl)-methyl]-benzoic acids or cyclohexanecarboxylic acids which are suitable for electro-optical displays have the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 =C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1R.sup.2 =H, ##STR2## wherein n=an integer from 1 to 10,m=an integer from 1 to 10,S=an integer from 1 to 10.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline mixtures containing compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein n stands for the number 0 or 1; X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 denote single covalent bonds or one of the symbols X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 also denotes --COO--, --OOC-- or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --; the rings A.sup.1, A.sup.2, and A.sup.3 represent 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene or trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or one of these rings also represents a 2,5-disubstituted pyrimidine ring or a trans-2,5-disubstituted m-dioxane ring; R.sup.1 signifies 4-alkenyl or on a cyclohexyl ring also 2Z-alkenyl; and R.sup.2 denotes alkyl, alkoxy, --CN or --NCS,as well as the manufacture of these compounds and the use for electro-optical purposes are described.

Abstract: New hydroterphenyls of formula IR.sup.1 --Cy--Cy--Ph--R.sup.2 Iwherein R.sup.1 is alkyl; R.sup.2 is H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, alkyl, --O-alkyl, --COOR.sup.3 or --O--CO--R.sup.3 ; R.sup.3 is H, alkyl, --Cy-alkyl, --Ph-alkyl, --Ph--O-alkyl, --Ph--CN or --Ph--F; Cy is 1,4-cyclohexylene; and Ph is 1,4-phenylene; can be used as dielectrics for electrooptical display elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for concentrating light by means of fluorescent compounds in plastic sheets or films, wherein perylene compounds are used for this purpose.

Abstract: Nematic liquid crystalline mixtures, which can be used in optoelectronic components. Compounds are provided which influence the characteristics of mixtures in the direction of high clarification temperatures at simultaneous favorable switching times. It has been found that compounds of the general formula ##STR1## wherein n, m=1 to 10 in nematic mixtures in quantities of 5 to 40% considerably increase the clarification points without significantly increasing the viscosity, so that favorable switching times are obtained. The new mixtures can be used for the production of optoelectronic components (displays) for watches, computers and other devices.

Abstract: Disubstituted ethanes having a formula ##STR1## wherein R is alkyl, X is selected from hydrogen, ##STR2## wherein each R.sub.1 is selected from H, alkyl, alkoxy, halo and cyano and each of Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2, Q.sub.3 and Q.sub.4 is independently selected from H and F are useful as components of liquid crystal materials for electro-optical displays and compounds useful in the production of such components.

Abstract: A asymmetrical aryl ether of the formulaX--Ar--O--Ar'--Y,wherein Ar and Ar' are each a divalent aromatic radical, X and Y are electron attracting atoms or groups which differ from each other or have different positions on the corresponding aromatic radicals, is produced by heating together, in the presence of a basic catalyst, equimolecular amounts of two aryl carbonates of the formulas:X--Ar--O--CO--O--Ar--X,andY--Ar'--O--CO--O--Ar'--Y

Abstract: Psoriasis in mammals is relieved by topically administering naphthalenes of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same and are lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, optionally substituted phenoxy or optionally substituted phenylthio,R.sup.3 is lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, or halo and m is 0, 1 or 2 or R.sup.3 is optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenyl lower alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl lower alkoxy, amino, lower alkylamino, lower dialkylamino, cyano, or S(O).sub.n R wherein R is lower alkyl; optionally substituted phenyl; optionally substituted phenyl lower alkyl; or optionally substituted heterocyclic aryl of three to nine ring atoms containing one or two heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof; and m is 1 and n is 0, 1 or 2; andW is alkyl of one to seven carbon atoms, optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted benzyl.

Abstract: Novel compounds of the general formula ##STR1## wherein Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic or heterocyclic group; W represents alkylene of from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; and B represents --NR.sub.2 COR.sub.1, --NR.sub.2 CONR.sub.1 R.sub.3, --NR.sub.2 SO.sub.2 R.sub.1, --NR.sub.2 SO.sub.2 NR.sub.1 R.sub.3, or --NR.sub.2 COOR.sub.1 wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 may be the same or different and may be hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or aralkyl, except that R.sub.1 is not hydrogen when B is --NR.sub.2 SO.sub.2 R.sub.1 or --NR.sub.2 COOR.sub.1, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 may together with N form a 5 to 7 momoered heterocyclic group; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds exhibit .beta.-adrenergic blocking activity and are also useful in the treatment of glaucoma.

Abstract: Aniline derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein X=alkyl,Z=H or alkyl, andY=S-alkyl, SO.sub.2 -alkyl, CO.sub.2 -R (R=alkyl, cycloalkyl, or H) or--if Z=H--Br,are diazo components for preparing valuable azo dyestuffs and starting materials for preparing compounds of the formula ##STR2## and new azo dyestuffs derived therefrom and which--in their nonionic form--are highly suitable for dyeing polyester fibres in blue shades having high tinctorial strength and high fastness levels.

Abstract: A novel 4-halogenobenzoic acid derivative useful as a component constituting a liquid crystal composition having a large value of dielectric anisotropy and also a large value of optical anisotropy, and a liquid crystal composition containing the same are provided, which derivative is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein X and Y, each represent F, Cl or Br.

Abstract: 2-Nitro-5-(substituted-phenoxy)benzoic acids and esters, salts, amides, and acyl halides thereof comprise a class of compounds that are highly effective herbicides.

Abstract: 2-Nitro-5-(substituted-phenoxy)benzoic acids and esters, salts, amides, and acyl halides thereof comprise a class of compounds that are highly effective herbicides.