Abstract: A process for the preparation of trialkyl ester derivatives of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein X is chlorine, bromine, iodine, tosyloxy or mesyloxy and R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl group. According to this process, a trialkyl methanetricarboxylate of the general formula: ##STR2## wherein R has the meaning given above, is converted to the end product of formula I with a disubstituted ethane of the general formula:X--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --X IIIwherein the two substituents X are identical or different and have the meaning given above, in the presence of an alkaline earth metal carbonate or alkali metal carbonate.

Abstract: Novel dialkyl 2-haloethyl malonates are prepared from a dialkyl cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate by reaction with a hydrogen halide in the presence of a 1,2-dialkoxy ethane as a solvent and of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst.

Abstract: This invention pertains to perfluoropolyethers and perhalogenated chlorofluoropolyethers that can be prepared by fluorinating addition polymers made by polymerizing epoxides.

Abstract: Dialkyl 2-haloethyl malonates are prepared from a dialkyl cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate by reaction with a hydrogen halide in the presence of a 1,2-dialkoxy ethane as a solvent and of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst.

Abstract: A liquid phase process for making perfluorinated organic substances which comprises directly contacting in a temperature-controlled reactor a diluted solution or dispersion of a perfluorinateable, organic substance in a liquid, inert medium with a stoichiometric excess of fluorine gas, optionally diluted with an inert gas, to perfluorinate said organic substance at a temperature and a flow rate of inert gas (if used) sufficient to volatilize the resulting by-product hydrogen fluoride, removing said hydrogen fluoride from the reactor as it is produced, and separately removing from the reactor the resultant solution or dispersion of perfluorinated organic substance.

Abstract: .alpha.-fluoro-.beta.-dicarbonyl compounds are prepared by reacting a halogenated dicarbonyl compound at temperatures of 20.degree. to 100.degree. C. with an addition product of hydrogen fluoride and a trialkylamine. This process is easy to carry out in technical terms and can also be carried out on a large scale.

Abstract: A process for preparing functionalized perfluoropolyoxyalkylenes, wherein the corresponding perfluoropolyoxyalkylenes containing peroxy bonds in the chain are reacted with a primary or a secondary alcohol, or mixtures of these alcohols, in the presence of a catalyst selected from iodine, hydriodic acid or alkali metal iodides. The process leads to the obtainment of perfluoropolyoxyalkylenes having a high functionalization degree, which can be easily purified by removing the excess of alcohol through distillation.

Abstract: A multifunctional antiwear and antioxidant lubricant additive is the reaction product of a diacyl halide, a source of phosphorus or a source of phosphorus and an aryl amine. The diacyl halide is derived from a hydrocarbon-substituted succinic anhydride, suitably dodecenyl succinic anhydride, an alkoxylated amine and an inorganic acid halide, suitably thionyl chloride. A suitable source of phosphorus is dibutyl phosphite or bis(nonylphenyl)phosphite. A suitable aryl amine is N-octylphenyl-1-naphthylamine.

Abstract: Propoxybenzene derivatives represented by the following formula ##STR1## wherein Ra represents a nitro group, an amino group which may have a protecting group or an --NHCH.dbd.C(COO--C.sub.1-6 -Alkyl).sub.2 group, Rb represents a hydrogen atom, a protecting group for the hydroxyl group or a substituted sulfonyl group and Xa and Xb, which may be the same or different, each represents a halogen atom, and processes for preparation thereof are disclosed. These derivatives are useful in preparing antibacterial agents.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacture of dialkyl monohalomaleate and dialkyl monohalofumarate and mixtures thereof via a dehydrohalogenation of the appropriate dialkyl dihalosuccinate precursor in the presence of an aqueous base and a phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: The preparation of magnesium benzyl fluoromalonate and other equivalent materials, the synthetic equivalents of the --CH.sub.2 F moiety, is described. Reaction between these reagents and the in situ-formed imidazolides of various carboxylic acids gives beta-keto-alpha-fluoroesters, which upon hydrogenation and spontaneous decarboxylation yields fluoromethyl ketones in excellent yields. The overall transformation from RCOOH to RCOCH.sub.2 F is thus illustrated.

Abstract: This invention provides (i) novel hexafluoroneopentyl alcohol, (ii) its derivatives, i.e., hexafluoroneopentyl (meth)acrylate, (iii) fluorinated polymers comprising said acrylate as the monomer component, and (iv) optical materials comprising said fluorinated polymers.

Abstract: The preparation of magnesium benzyl fluoromalonate and other equivalent materials, the synthetic equivalents of the --CH.sub.2 F moiety, is described. Reaction between these reagents and the in situ-formed imidazolides of various carboxylic acids gives beta-keto-alpha-fluoroesters, which upon hydrogenation and spontaneous decarboxylation yields fluoromethyl ketones in excellent yields. The overall transformation from RCOOH to RCOCH.sub.2 F is thus illustrated.

Abstract: Oxime ethers of the general formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are hydrogen or alkyl,R.sup.3 is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, aryl or aryloxy, the aromatic ring being unsubstituted or substituted, or R.sup.3 is heteroaryl, adamantyl, fluorenyl or cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl, these radicals being unsubstituted or substituted,X is saturated or unsaturated C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -alkylene which is unsubstituted or substituted, andn is 0 or 1,and fungicides containing these compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of carboxylic acid esters from carboxylic acids and alcohols which is characterized in that neutral phosphites containing oxetane groups are used as esterification catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for the preparation of dialkyl dichlorosuccinates by chlorination of a dialkyl maleate in the presence of a catalytic amount of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl alcohol in the absence of a solvent which are useful intermediates in the preparation of anilinofumarates. Anilinofumarates are, in turn, used in the preparation of 2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)quinoline-3-carboxylic acid herbicidal agents.

Abstract: The reaction products of the alpha-halogenated half esters or amides of succinic acid and thiadiazole dimercaptides as new compositions of matter and their use as lubricant additives possessing multifunctional properties such as extreme pressure, antiwear, antioxidant and anticorrosion.

Abstract: A process for the production of secondary-butyl perfluoroester is provided by reacting ethylene with a perfluorocarboxylic acid in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one .alpha.-halogenated dicarboxylic acid of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein Hal is a chlorine, bromine or fluorine atom, R is a hydrogen atom or Hal and m is a number of from 4 to 16, and/or at least one pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or amide thereof.The present invention also provides new compounds of general formula (I) but in which m is a number of from 8 to 16 and processes for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for the preparation of anilinofumarate [quinoline- 2,3-dicarboxylic acid], a useful intermediate in the preparation of 2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid herbicidal agents.

Abstract: N-fluoro-N-perfluoromethyl sulfonamide compounds are provided as fluorinating agents for the fluorination of organic compounds by either the direct electrophilic fluorination of organic compounds or by the fluorination of organic compound carbanions.

Abstract: A novel process for producing a .beta.-dihalogenoethenylcyclopropane derivative of the formula, ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, R.sub.3 is a hydrogen atom, lower alkyl, acyl, carboxyl or alkoxycarbonyl group and R is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group and each of Y.sub.1 and Y.sub.2 is a fluorine, chlorine or bromine atom respectively, which is an acidic moiety of the useful synthetic insecticides of the pyrethrin type, which process comprises a combination of a series of sequential steps starting from alkyl 3-butenyl ketone derivative of the formula (I), which may be shown according to the following reaction scheme: ##STR2## According to this process, objective compound of the formula (VI) having any cis/trans ratio can be produced by selecting the reaction condition of the Stages II-1, II-2, and IV-2.

Abstract: The present process produces the meso dialkyl 2,5-dihaloadipate from a mixture of the racemic dialkyl 2,5-dihaloadipate and meso 2,5-dihaloadipate. In the disclosed process, a 2,5-dihaloadipoyl halide is formed under conditions which result in the formation of an acidic compound. The 2,5-dihaloadipoyl halide is then esterified under conditions wherein the ester of the dihaloadipoyl halide is allowed to remain in contact with the acidic compound, thus allowing the racemic diester to epimerize in the presence of the acidic compound to the meso form and then the meso diester spontaneously crystallizes. In the last stage, the meso diester produced is removed.

Abstract: Compounds halogenated in the .alpha.-position to an electron-attracting group of formula ##STR1## in which X denotes a halogen atom, R denotes a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon radical or a radical --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --COOR.sub.1 and Z denotes a radical --CHO, --COR.sub.2, --COOR.sub.3, --CONR.sub.4 R.sub.5, --CN, --SO.sub.2 R.sub.6, --NO.sub.2, --CO--(CH.sub.2)p--COO.sub.1 or --COO(CH.sub.2)p--COOR.sub.1 are made by a halogenating deacylation of a compound of formula ##STR2## in which R' denotes a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon radical, R" denotes a methyl radical and Z' denotes a radical --CHO, --COR.sub.2, --COOR.sub.3, --CONR.sub.4 R.sub.5, --CN, --SO.sub.2 R.sub.6 or --NO.sub.2 or R' and R" may form a radical --(CH.sub.2)-- or R' and R" may form a radical --CO--(CH.sub.2)p-- or --COO(CH.sub.2)p--, using an alkali metal alcoholate or an alkali or alkaline-earth metal carbonate and a halogenating agent.

Abstract: A novel class of compounds has been found to be effective in blocking cholesterol and neutral lipid synthesis in-vivo without adversely affecting energy metabolism, useful for the treatment of obesity, hyperlipidemia and maturity-onset diabetes. The active compounds have the general formula ##STR1## or in-vivo hydrolyzable functional derivatives of the carboxylic groups thereof,whereinR.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represents an unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbyl or hetercyclyl radical;X and Y each independently represents hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, halogen, cyano, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl or carbamoyl; andQ represents a diradical consisting of a linear chain of 8 to 14 carbon atoms, one or more of which may be replaced by heteroatoms, said chain being optionally substituted by inert substituents and one or more of said carbon or heteratom chain members optionally forming part of a ring structure.

Abstract: A novel class of compounds has been found to be effective in blocking cholesterol and neutral lipid synthesis in-vivo without adversely affecting energy metabolism. The active compounds have the general formula ##STR1## or in-vivo hydrolysable functional derivatives of the carboxylic groups thereof, whereinR.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represents an unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl radical;X and Y each independently represent hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, halogen, cyano, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl or carbamoyl; andQ represents a diradical consisting of a linear chain of 8 to 14 carbon atoms, one or more of which may be replaced by heteroatoms, said chain being optionally substituted by inert substituents and one or more of said carbon or heteroatom chain members optionally forming part of a ring structure.

Abstract: A composition containing acid halide functional materials, which are useful in the preparation of nylon block polymers, selected from the group consisting of: ##STR1## wherein, X is a halogen;a is an integer equal to 1, 2 or 3;b is an integer equal to 2 or more;R is a di- or a poly-valent group selected from hydrocarbon groups and hydrocarbon groups containing ether linkages;Z is a segment of: (1) a polyether; (2) a polyester containing polyether polyester hydrocarbon segments, (3) a hydrocarbon; (4) a polysiloxane; or (5) combinations thereof.

Abstract: In order to prepare polyester or polyetherpolyester polyols, polyols, preferably di- to hexafunctional polyether polyols having hydroxyl numbers from 15 to 250 are esterified with at least one carboxylic acid anhydride, preferably phthalic acid anhydride, in the presence of N-methylimidazole, triethylenediamine, and/or triphenylphosphine as catalysts to form a carboxylic acid half-ester, and said half-ester is then oxyalkylated with at least one alkylene oxide, preferably ethylene oxide, in the presence of N-methylimidazole, triethylenediamine, triphenylphosphine, thiodialkylene glycol, employing a mixture of at least two of the compounds cited as catalysts.

Abstract: An alkylated or alkenylated malonic ester having a fluorine containing aliphatic substituent and derivatives thereof as expressed by the following general formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.f is a fluorine containing aliphatic group, R is an aliphatic group, or hydrogen or alkali metal atom, and R' is an unsubstituted or substituted aliphatic group.And a method to trap the enolate ion of a malonic ester having a fluorine containing aliphatic substituent as expressed by the following general formula,R.sub.f CH(CO.sub.2 R).sub.2where R.sub.f is a fluorine containing aliphatic group and R is an aliphatic group, hydrogen or alkali metal atom, wherein said malonic ester is converted under the action of a weaker base and/or fluoride ion to a fluorine containing enolate ion to be trapped as expressed by the following general formula:R.sub.f C.sup..crclbar. (CO.sub.2 R).sub.2where R.sub.f and R are the same as above.

Abstract: Telomers and cotelomers with at least one sequence which can be cross-linked by light, and a method of preparing them.They are of the general formula ##STR1## wherein the taxogen links --(X.sub.i)-- belong to the group made up of 2-hydroxy ethyl acrylate and methacrylate, acrylic or methacrylic acid, vinyl alcohol and allyl alcohol; the ##STR2## links emanate from the same taxogen X.sub.i, esterified by means of a group with at least one photo-crosslinkable double bond in its molecule; and where 1<x+y.ltoreq.1000, Z being chosen from the group --H, --Cl, --Br; and where R may be a simple or macromolecular radical, in the latter case leading to the formation of dual sequence cotelomers.The manufacturing process comprises telomerisation by redox or radical catalysis, followed by grafting on the photo-cross-linkable group, the first phase of telomerisation being duplicated in the case of a cotelomer.The main application for the products is in coating metals.

Abstract: Linear esters, e.g., alkyl adipates, are facilely prepared by reacting an alcohol and carbon monoxide with a monoolefin, in the presence of cobalt, optionally hydrogen, and a tertiary nitrogen base, and in a reaction solvent which comprises a 5- or 6-membered monoheterocycle containing from 1 to 3 identical or different, non-adjacent oxygen and divalent sulfur heteroatoms, with the proviso that such heterocycle can also contain from one to two carbon-carbon double bonds, and, if a 5-membered heterocycle, can also contain a nitrogen heteroatom separated from an oxygen or sulfur heteroatom by at least one ring carbon atom and linked to one of the adjacent carbon atoms by a double bond.

Abstract: Esters, e.g., alkyl adipates, are facilely prepared by carbonylation among an alcohol, carbon monoxide and a monoolefin, e.g., an alkyl pentenoate, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of cobalt and a tertiary nitrogen base, and optionally hydrogen, said reaction being carried out in an aromatic hydrocarbon reaction medium bearing from 1 to 3 nuclear substituents, and said substituents comprising cyano or a radical of the formula R--Y-- having up to 20 carbon atoms, wherein Y is a direct valence bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a carbonyl group or a carbonyloxy group (--CO--O--), with R being bonded to the oxygen of the group --CO--O--, and R is alkyl, aralkyl or or aryl, or a cyano substituted such R--Y-- radical, or a radical R--Y-- which includes one of the divalent bridges --O--, --CO-- or --CO--O-- along its skeletal carbon chain, with the proviso that at least one of said substituents is either cyano or a radical R--Y-- wherein Y is other than a direct valence bond.

Abstract: Telomers and cotelomers with at least one sequence which can be cross-linked by light, and a method of preparing them.They are of the general formula ##STR1## wherein the taxogen links --(X.sub.i)-- belong to the group made up of 2-hydroxy ethyl acrylate and methacrylate, acrylic or methacrylic acid, vinyl alcohol and allyl alcohol; the ##STR2## links emanate from the same taxogen X.sub.i, esterified by means of a group with at least one photo-crosslinkable double bond in its molecule; and where 1<x+y.ltoreq.1000, Z being chosen form the group --H, --Cl, --Br; and where R may be a simple or macromolecular radical, in the latter case leading to the formation of dual sequence cotelomers.The manufacturing process comprises telomerization by redox or radical catalysis, followed by grafting on the photo-crosslinkable group, the first phase of telomerization being duplicated in the case of a cotelomer.The main application for the products is in coating metals.

Abstract: Fumaric acid monoesters can be prepared by introducing a hydroxyl compound at a rate corresponding to the progress of the reaction into a solution or a melt of maleic anhydride, which may optionally be substituted, if appropriate in the presence of a cis-trans catalyst. New fumaric acid monoesters can be formed by the process.

Abstract: Process for fluorinating an organic carbanion, which process comprises contacting and reacting, in a dry inert atmosphere, the compound of the formula selected from ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## is the carbanion, M is a counter ion, and X is a halide and a selected N-flouro-N-alkylsulfonamide.

Abstract: The process for making a fluorinated product comprising reacting a perfluoroalkyl iodide and an olefin in the presence of a finely divided zinc and an acidic solvent.

Abstract: Perfluoroalkyl esters of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 denotes C.sub.2 -C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.4 -C.sub.14 -perfluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkoxyperfluoroalkyl, R.sub.2 denotes C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 -alkylene, R.sub.3 denotes C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 -.omega.-epoxyalkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.18, preferably C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkyl, which can be substituted by 1 or 2 halogen atoms, preferably chlorine atoms, by hydroxyl groups, by a group of the formula ##STR2## by 1 to 3 groups of the formula --OCO--CX.dbd.CY--COO--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --R.sub.1 or by, in each case, one lower alkoxy, epoxy, lower acyloxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower acylamino, lower hydroxylalkylthio, lower trialkylamino, lower trialkylammonium, phenyl, phenoxy or furanyl group or R.sub.3, in the case where b=0, also denotes C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 -alkenyl, which can be subsituted by hydroxyl groups or a phenyl group; C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 -alkynyl, which can be substituted by hydroxyl groups; cyclohexyl; phenyl, which can be substituted by 1-3 C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: Esters of .beta.,.gamma.-unsaturated carboxylic acids are prepared by (i) carbonylating a conjugated diene with carbon monoxide in the presence of an alcohol, a halogenated hydracid and a palladium catalyst; (ii) distilling the carbonylation reaction product in the presence of an ammonium, phosphonium or arsonium quaternary onium chloride or bromide having a melting point below the temperature at which the carbonylation reaction is carried out, and at a temperature and pressure such that said reaction product separates into a gaseous phase and a homogeneous liquid phase; (iii) recovering said gaseous phase comprising the ester of the .beta.,.gamma.

Abstract: Perfluorinated carboxylic acid fluorides which also have an ester group in the molecule are prepared by decomposition of perfluorinated fluorosulfato compounds of the formula I ##STR1## in which R=alkyl, aryl or aralkyl with preferably up to 10 C atoms, in particular CH.sub.3 l or C.sub.2 H.sub.5, m=an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 8 and in particular 1 to 6, and n=0 or an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 0 to 3 or in particular 0 or 1, in the presence of catalytic amounts of at least one alkali metal fluoride and in the absence of solvents; the compounds have the formula II ##STR2## in which R, m and n have the same meaning as in formula I. The compounds II are valuable intermediates, in particular for the preparation of perfluorinated vinyl compounds, which can in turn be processed to homopolymers and copolymers which are exceptionally stable to chemicals or heat.

Abstract: Beta-monofluoromethyl beta-alanine, beta-difluoromethyl beta-alanine and pharmaceutically acceptable esters and amides derived from the acid group, amides derived from the amine group, and salts thereof are novel compounds which inhibit .gamma.-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T).

Abstract: Fluorinated carbonyl compounds are prepared by contacting a fluorinated methyl or ethyl ether containing at least one methoxylated carbon atom-containing group selected from: --CF.sub.2 OR.sup.3, .dbd.CFOR.sup.3, ##STR1## wherein R.sup.3 is CH.sub.3 or C.sub.2 H.sub.5, with a catalyst selected from:SbX.sub.5, TaX.sub.5, NbX.sub.5, AsX.sub.5, BiX.sub.5, TiX.sub.4, ZrX.sub.4, HfX.sub.4, FeX.sub.3,mixtures of SbX.sub.3 and SbX.sub.5, ZM'X'.sub.6, and mixtures of ZM'X'.sub.6 and M'X.sub.5 where X, independently, is F, Cl, Br or I, X' is F or Cl; and Z is H, NO, O.sub.2, alkali metal or NY.sub.4 where Y, independently, is H or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and M' is Sb or As at a temperature of -20.degree. to 200.degree. C.

Abstract: A novel fluorine-containing compound of the formulaR.sub.1 --A--R.sub.2whereinA is ##STR1## R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each hydrogen or R.sub.3 OOC--CH.sub.2).sub.n, while R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may not be hydrogen at the same time; X is hydrogen or halogen; R.sub.3 is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group; m is an integer of 1 to 5; and n is an integer of 4 to 11, and a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: This invention relates to new compositions particularly suited for producing insecticidal intermediates.

Abstract: Halogen-substituted olefin addition compounds that contain a carbonyl group are formed by oxidatively adducting an olefin and a carbonyl compound such as a ketone, aldehyde, or ester. The method consists of reacting the olefin and the carbonyl component, in solution, with an oxidizing ion of manganese, cerium or vanadium in the presence of fluoride, chloride or bromide ion. This ionic component is incorporated in the adduct and appears on the olefin-derived carbon atom gamma to the carbonyl group. The gamma halogen substituted adducts are readily converted to cyclopropane derivatives, including pyrethroid intermediate compounds.

Abstract: In the preparation of a 1,3-dibromo-2,2-dimethyl-propane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid derivative of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently is chlorine or alkoxy, by reacting a 2,2-dimethyl-propane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid derivative of the formula ##STR2## in which R.sup.3 is hydroxy or alkoxy andR.sup.4 is hydroxy, orR.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together are an anhydride oxygen atom,with an acid halide, then reacting the product with bromine at a temperature between 0.degree. and 150.degree. C. to form a 1,3-dibromo-2,2-dimethyl-propane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid chloride and optionally reacting such acid chloride with an alkanol, the improvement which comprises employing an acid chloride as the acid halide, e.g. phosphorus pentachloride, phosphorus oxychloride, phosphorus trichloride, thionyl chloride or phosgene. Compounds of the formula ##STR3## are new. The products are intermediates for making insecticides.

Abstract: Carboxylic ester and acyl fluoride groups are interchanged in the presence of a metal fluoride catalyst or a metal fluoride/strong sulfonic acid catalyst combination to produce fluorinated mono- and diacyl fluorides.

Abstract: Muconic acid monoesters of alkanediols of 2-6 carbons and of phenol are prepared by copper (II) oxidative cleavage of phenols, catechols or orthobenzoquinones. The products are useful as comonomers in polyamides and other polymers. The alkanediol or phenol is introduced into the copper (II) reactant or catalyst.

Abstract: Novel, transient prodrug forms of dopa and dopamine have (i) the structural formula (I): ##STR1## wherein each R is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, R.sup.3 -CO- and ##STR2## wherein X is O, S or NR.sup.6 ; R.sup.1 is hydrogen or --COOR.sup.8 ; R.sup.2 is hydrogen or OR; R.sup.

Abstract: Novel polyfunctional compounds and a novel process for their preparation are disclosed. These compounds may be converted into the acid or salt forms of cis and trans aconitic acids as well as into a racemic mixture of isocitric acid, alloisocitric acid and the lactones of isocitric acid and alloisocitric acid and their salts. All of the acid and salt forms produced are useful as metal sequestrants and/or detergent builders. The novel polyfunctional compounds can also be saponified to their corresponding alkali metal salts which, in turn, are also metal ion sequestering agents and detergent builders. The polyfunctional compounds are the reaction products obtained from the reaction of selected salts of monoalkyl esters of maleic acid with selected active hydrogen containing compounds.