Abstract: The present invention comprises novel single-functional and mixtures of multi-functional oligomeric performance additive compounds having one or more components of Structure A R1 ? ? ##STR1## (The definitions of R, Z1, Z2, Z3, A1, A2, A3 and y are given in the Summary Section), their uses and polymeric compounds and compositions containing them which have enhanced oxidative stabilities, enhanced ultraviolet (UV) and light stabilites and/or enhanced flame retardance. An example is the bis sulfonic acid bispotassium salt reaction product from an oligomeric caprolactone diol (TONE.RTM. 260), 2-sulfobenzoic acid anhydride and potassium carbonate, and use of this product, at levels up to about 3.0%, in a general purpose bisphenol A polycarbonate resin, to enhance the fire resistance or flame retardance of the polycarbonate resin.

Abstract: Variously substituted 3,5-dihydroxy-6,8-nonadienoic acids and esters, are blood cholesterol lowering agents and so are useful in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis.

Abstract: Provided are cyclic hydrocarbons of Formula I ##STR1## with an aminoalkyl sidechain that are useful for treating phospholipase A2 mediated conditions, diabetes, and obesity.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel chiral rhodium-diphosphine complexes having the formula[Rh(X) (Y) (Lp)]owherein X represents a residue of the formula X--COO.sup.- in which Z signifies a group ##STR1## aryl or substituted aryl, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 =hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, aryl-lower alkyl, perfluoro-C.sub.1-20 -alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, the group --OR.sup.7, --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --COA or AOC--(CF.sub.2).sub.n, with the proviso that at least one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 represents --OR.sup.7, aryl or substituted aryl,R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 =hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, aryl-lower alkyl, perfluoro--C.sub.1-20 -alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --COA or AOC--(CF.sub.2).sub.n,R.sup.7 =hydrogen, lower alkyl, partially or completely halogenated lower alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl or aryl-lower alkyl,A=The residue --OR or NR'.sub.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## and stereoisomers thereof, wherein V is an oxygen or a sulphur atom; X and Y, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen or halogen atoms, or optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, optionally substituted aryloxy, optionally substituted arylalkoxy, optionally substituted acyloxy, optionally substituted amino, acylamino, nitro, nitrile, --CO.sub.2 R.sup.3, --CONR.sup.4 R.sup.5, or --COR.sup.6 groups; or the groups X and Y, when they are in adjacent positions on the phenyl ring, may join to form a fused ring, either aromatic or aliphatic, optionally containing one or more heteroatoms; and Z is optionally substituted methylene, optionally substituted amino, oxygen or sulphur and when Z is a substituted methylene group, the substituent may join the 2-position of the phenyl ring to form a non-aromatic fused ring; R.sup.1 and R.

Abstract: Disclosed are herein optically active ester derivatives represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.1 represents an alkyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 represents an optically active alkyl or alkoxyalkyl group having 3 to 15 carbon atoms optionally substituted by halogen atoms; Y represents --O--, --COO-- or --OCO--; X represents --COO-- or --OCO--; l represents a number of 1 or 2; k and m each represents a number of 0 or 1; n represents a number of 1 to 6), preparation processes therefor, liquid crystal materials containing such ester derivatives as active ingredient, and a light switching element using said liquid crystal materials as liquid crystal element.

Abstract: This invention encompasses novel analogs of Leukotriene B.sub.4 which are selected from a compound of formula I, B--C.apprxeq.C--CH.sub.2 C(M.sub.2)--C.apprxeq.C--Y--C(M.sub.1)--A, or formula II, B--C.apprxeq.C--CH.sub.2 C(M.sub.2)--C.apprxeq.C--P--R.sub.5 --A: wherein Y is: ##STR1## wherein P is: ##STR2## Patentable intermediates, process for making the novel analogs and intermediates and preparation of useful pharmacological agents comprising the analogs and intermediates are part of this invention.

Abstract: An optically active ester of arylacetic acid of the fomula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkyl or phenyl or taken together to from C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkylene, or C.sub.2 C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 alkenylene, or bicyclic-ring; R.sup.2 is hydrogen or methyl; X is single bond or Ch.sub.2, C.dbd.O, N--R.sup.4, O, S, CHNHR.sup.4, CHCH.sub.3, CH--Ar, or CHOR.sup.5 (provided that when X is single bond or CH.sub.2, C.dbd.O, N--R.sup.4, O, or S, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are not simultaneouly hydrogen or methyl); R.sup.3 is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, or optionally substituted aralkyl; R.sup.4 is hydrogen or amino protecting group; R.sup.5 is hydrogen or hydroxy protecting group; and Ar is optionally substituted aryl; prepared by the reaction of a 94 symmetric acid anhydride with an (R)-or (S)-arylacetic acid derivative in high optical purity; useful as a intermediate for the various optically active natural products and medicines.

Abstract: An optically active fluorine-containing alcohol of ##STR1## where R.sub.2 is a C.sub.1-18 alkyl and n is 2-10, and liquid crystal compound of ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each is a C.sub.1-18 alkyl, X is O, COO or OCO, Y is COO, OCO, CH.sub.2 O or OCH.sub.2, Z is COO or O, (A) and (B) each is for example ##STR3## and p is zero or one, which is prepared from (I) above.

Abstract: A 2-chloro-4,5-difluorobenzoyl compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.2 is a lower alkyl group, and R.sup.7 is a 2,4-difluorophenyl group or a 4-fluorophenyl group.

Abstract: A 2,4,6-substituted phenol having the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X is S or CH.sub.2 ; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different from each other and each is a lower alkyl group; R.sup.3 is a group of the formula: ##STR2## in which R.sup.4 is hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are the same or different from each other and each is hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, or a phenyl group which may be substituted,or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is useful as an active agent in a pharmaceutical composition. The pharmaceutical composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a compound having the formula (I), as an effective ingredient, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable substantially nontoxic carrier or excipient. The pharmaceutical composition can be useful in the treatment of lipemia of mammals. Additionally the compounds can be used as antiatherosclerotic agents and antilipenic agents.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing an acyloxycarboxylic acid by providing a reaction chamber, establishing sources of an .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid and an acid chloride, and repeatedly contacting substantially equal molar amounts of the .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid and the acid chloride within the reaction chamber. The acyloxycarboxylic acid so synthesized is useful as a starting material for conversion to various esters which, when placed in aqueous solution with a source of hydrogen peroxide, result in a peracid and are useful for bleaching applications.

Abstract: A process for the racemization of optically active 4-phenylbutanoic acid esters which comprises treating optically active 4-phenylbutanoic acid esters of the general formula (1) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydroxy group, a hydroxy group protected by vinyl ester, or a lower acyloxy group and R.sup.2 represents a lower alkyl group with a base selected from the group consisting of alkali metal alcoholates, alkali metal hydrides, and alkali metal amides is provided.

Abstract: A process for preparing an optically active alcohol is disclosed, which comprises asymmetrically hydrogenating a carbonyl compound in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex as a catalyst. The resulting alcohol has high optical purity.

Abstract: The invention lies in novel ferroelectric liquid crystal compounds particularly represented by the general formulae, having a good responsibility in relation to the applied electric field and a wide range of phase transition points inclusive of the room temperature so as to be useful alone as the liquid crystal material but also to be mixed with other liquid crystal compounds for expanding the phase transition points to a desired range and making the response speed of the liquid crystal composition faster. ##STR1## In the formulae, m and n are same or different with each other and represent an integral of 1-20.

Abstract: Optically active mono-esters of dicarboxylic acid of the formula III: ##STR1## being useful as intermediates for preparing optically active natural products or medicines; asymmetric synthesis process for preparing thereof being characterized by the reaction of an acid anhydride with an (R)- or (S)-arylacetic acid derivative; and the key substances therefor are also claimed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to branched polyesters derived from the reaction product of hydroxy stearic acid or hydroxy stearic alkoxylate, a guerbet alochol or guerbet alcohol alkoxylate, which product is further reacted with a polycarboxylic acid to provide the required branching in the polyester structure. The invention is also directed to the preparation, compositions and application of said internal plastic lubricants, particularly suited for use in forming of polycarbonate thermoplastics.

Abstract: An alkenoic acid derivative of the formula ##STR1## in which X and Y are identical or different and represent sulfur, sulfoxide, sulfone, an alkylene chain, --SCH.sub.2 --, or oxygen or a direct bond,W represents --CH.dbd.CH-- or --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --,o represents a number 1 to 5,A and B are identical or different and represent carboxyl, carboxymethylene, tetrazolyl or tetrazolylmethylene, or --CO.sub.2 R.sup.9 or --CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 R.sup.9 or --CONR.sup.10 R.sup.11 or nitrilen represents a number 1 to 10,m represents a number 0 to 7,T and Z are identical or different and represent oxygen or a direct bond andR.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.8 are identical or different and represent hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, cyano or nitro andR.sup.9 is lower alkyl and R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are hydrogen, lower alkyl, alkylsulfonyl or arylsulfonyl or together are an alkylene chain to form a ringand pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## are described which are useful to inhibit the formation of serum cholesterol by virtue of their ability to inhibit .beta.-hydroxy-.beta.-methylglutaryl-CoA(HMG CoA), the rate-controlling substance in the synthesis of serum cholesterol.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkoxyalkylidenemalonic acid esters. The reaction is catalyzed by easily separable, insoluble aluminum silicates.

Abstract: Novel compounds have at least one perfluorocyclobutane ring and at least two functional groups suitable for forming condensation polymers. Preferably the compounds have a structures represented by Formula II: ##STR1## wherein R and R' independently represent optionally inertly substituted groups; X and X' represent any molecular structures which link R and R' with the perfluorocyclobutane ring; n and n' are the number of G and G' groups, respectively; and G and G' independently represent any reactive functional groups or any groups convertible into reactive functional groups. The compound are preferably prepared by a process of thermally dimerizing trifluorovinyl compound to form a compounds of Formula IG.sub.n --R--X--CF.dbd.CF.sub.2wherein G represents G or G' in Formula II; X represents X or X' of Formual II; and n represents n or n' of Formula II, to form a compound having a perfluorocyclobutane group.

Abstract: Fungicidal compounds of the formula (I): ##STR1## and stereoisomers thereof, wherein R.sup.1 is optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl; Y is oxygen, sulphur or NR.sup.4 ; R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl or C.sub.2-4 alkenyl; X is halogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.2-4 alkenyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, nitro or cyano; and n is 0 or an integer of 1 to 4; provided that when Y is oxygen, n is O and R.sup.1 is unsubstituted phenyl at least one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is other than hydrogen or methyl.

Abstract: Compounds of the Formula I: ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are leukotriene antagonists. These compounds inhibit SRS-A and leukotriene synthesis and are antagonists of SRS-A and are thus useful in the treatment of asthma, allergic disorders, inflammation, skin diseases and certain cardiovascular disorders.

Abstract: Prostaglandin analogues which include a bicyclic isoxazolidine nucleus are disclosed. These analogues may be used to prepare other prostaglandins. Essential to the synthesis is intramolecular nitrone-alkene cycloaddition involving an alkenyl nitrone in which the reacting centers are separated by two carbons.

Abstract: Lipophilic quaternary ammonium salicylate, characterized in that it corresponds to the formula: ##STR1## in which: (i) R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, which may be identical or different, denote an alkyl or alkylcycloalkyl radical, optionally substituted or interrupted;(ii) R.sub.3 and/or R.sub.4 denote(s) a group:R.sub.8 [OC.sub.2 H.sub.3 R.sub.7 ].sub.n [OCH.sub.2 CHOH--CH.sub.2 ].sub.pin which 0.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.4 and p denotes 0 or 1; R.sub.8 denotes H or an alkyl, alkenyl, alkylcycloalkyl or alkylaryl radical;(iii) R.sub.4 denotes an alkylphenyl radical;(iv), (v) R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 can form a saturated or unsaturated aromatic or non-aromatic heterocycle;(vi) R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 form polycyclic derivatives with the nitrogen atoms; R.sub.5 denotes a group corresponding to the formula: ##STR2## in which n is an integer varying between 0 and 10.

Abstract: Polyfunctional .alpha.-diazo-.beta.-keto esters of the general formula I are described ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 denotes an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or araliphatic or aromatic radical having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, in which individual CH.sub.2 groups can be replaced by oxygen or sulfur atoms or by N-- or NH groups and/or contain keto groups,X denotes an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, carbocyclic, heterocyclic or araliphatic radical having 2 to 22 carbon atoms, in which individual CH.sub.2 groups can be replaced by oxygen or sulfur atoms or by the groups ##STR2## in which R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently of one another represent hydrogen or an aliphatic, carbocyclic or araliphatic radical,m denotes an integer from 2 to 10 andn denotes an integer from 0 to 2,whereinm-n is .gtoreq.2.The compounds mentioned are used as photoactive components in radiation-sensitive mixtures.

Abstract: Fungicidal compounds having the formula: ##STR1## and stereoisomers thereof, wherein R.sup.1 is optionally substituted C.sub.2-10 alkenyl, optionally substituted C.sub.5-6 cycloalkenyl, optionally substituted C.sub.2-10 alkynyl, or C.sub.1-10 alkyl substituted with --CN, --NC, --COR.sup.2, --CO.sub.2 R.sup.2, --NO.sub.2 or --SCN; X is O, S(O)n or NR.sup.2 and is attached to the 3- or the 4-position of the phenyl ring; Y and Z, which may be the same or different, are H, halogen, --CH.sub.3, --C.sub.2 H.sub.5, or --OCH.sub.3 ; R.sup.2 is H, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkenyl, or, when R.sup.2 is C.sub.1-4 alkyl in the group --COR.sup.2, it joins with the alkyl group to which --COR.sup.2 is attached to form a 5- or 6-membered aliphatic ring; and n is 0, 1 or 2.

Abstract: Carboxylic acid esters, industrially important compounds, are obtained by reacting carboxylic acid amides and formic acid esters, or carboxylic acid amides, alcohols and carbon monoxide in the presence of metal alcoholate.

Abstract: New fluorinated bisaryloxy-substituted alkenes are prepared by reaction of substituted phenols with perhaloalkenes and can be used as electrical insulating agents.

Abstract: An aldehyde (R.sup.1 CHO) and optically active 3-hydroxybutyric acid (CH.sub.3 CH(OH)CH.sub.2 COOH) are reacted to form an optically active dioxanone. This dioxanone is reacted with a compound R.sup.2 --X to form an intermediate (R.sup.1 R.sup.2 CHOCH(CH.sub.3) CH.sub.2 COOH) which is then subjected to elimination to form an optically active secondary alcohol (R.sup.1 R.sup.2 CHOH) in good yield and purity.

Abstract: The invention concerns new polyfunctional ethylenic monomers of the general formula (I): ##STR1## where R=cyano, substituted or unsubstituted acyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl or substituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represent --CHR.sub.3 R.sub.4 where R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 may be identical or different and represent H or an alkyl, alkenyl or aralkyl group. R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may, alternatively, together form a radical --CH.sub.2 --(CR.sub.5 R.sub.6).sub.n --CHR.sub.7 where n=0 or 1 and R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 may be identical or different and represent H or CH.sub.3.Particular monomers are: 2-cyano-4,4-dimethoxy-3-hydroxy-1-butene; 2-cyano-4,4-dibutoxy-3-hydroxy-1-butene; 4,4-dibutoxy-2-ethoxycarbonyl-3-hydroxy-1-butene; 2-butoxycarbonyl-4,4-dibutoxy-3-hydroxy-1-butene; 4,4-dimethoxy-2-hydroxythoxycarbonyl-1-butene; 4,4-dimethoxy-2-dimethylaminoethoxycarbonyl -3-hydroxy-1-butene; and 4,4-dimethoxy-2-ethoxycarbonyl-3-hydroxy-1-butene.

Abstract: Carboxylic acid esters, industrially important compounds, are efficiently obtained by reacting carboxylic acid amides with formic acid esters in the presence of an inorganic solid acid catalyst.

Abstract: Novel trisubstituted phenyl analogs are now found to have activity as for the treatment of congestive heart failure.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of optically active 3-de-methylmevalonic acid derivatives, and intermediates A process for the preparation of optically active 3-de-methylmevalonic acid derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## (3,5-dihydroxy carboxylic acid derivatives) or of the formula II ##STR2## (.beta.-hydroxy lactones) in which R, R.sup.1 and Y have the indicated meanings, is described. The invention furthermore relates to aldehydes of the formula XII ##STR3## in which M represents the indicated protective groups. The 3-demethylmevalonic acid derivatives of this invention are useful for lowering cholesterol levels of a host.

Abstract: A process for preparing an .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylate represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R.sup.2 represents a lower alkyl group, a phenyl group or a cycloalkyl group, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are bonded to each other to form a five- to seven-membered cycloalkenyl or bicycloalkenyl ring which may be substituted with a lower alkyl group; and R.sup.3 represents a lower alkyl group,which comprises reacting an olefin compound represented by formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 ' represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; and R.sup.2 ' represents a lower alkyl group, a phenyl group or a cycloalkyl group, or R.sup.1 ' and R.sup.2 ' are bonded to each other to form a five- to seven-membered cycloalkyl or bicycloalkyl ring which may be substituted with a lower alkyl group,with a glyoxylate represented by formula (III): ##STR3## wherein R.sup.

Abstract: The protecting group, Z, of protected alpha-amino acid esters of the formulaZ--NH--CH(R.sub.2)COOCH(R)COOR.sub.1is removed in the presence of a dibasic acid such as oxalic acid. This results in the formation of a new type of salt of an amino acid ester which may be represented by the formula ##STR1## In the above Q is a divalent hydrocarbyl residue of a dibasic acid, R is a hydrogen atom or hydrocarbyl group, R.sub.1 is a hydrocarbyl group, R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or hydrocarbyl group, and p is zero or one, preferably zero. When p is zero, the salts are oxalate salts. When p is one, the salts are salts of other dibasic acids. The salts (II) are useful as reactants in the synthesis of amino-acid substituted phosphazene polymers.

Abstract: Ortho-substituted benzyl carboxylates of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is alkoxy, alkylthio, halogen or amino, R.sup.2 is alkoxycarbonyl, cyano or CONH.sub.2, R.sup.3 l is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, aryl, aryloxy, a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, cycloalkyl, or substituted cyclopropyl, X is alkylene, and n is 0 or 1, and fungicides containing these compounds.

Abstract: Biphenyl egters of formula (I), ##STR1## wherein formula (II) represents formula (III) or formula (IV), R.sub.1 represents C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl or alkoxycarbonyloxy, j is O or 1 R.sub.2 represents C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 alkyl or alkoxy, one of Q.sub.1 or Q.sub.2 is fluorine and the other is hydrogen, provided that when j is O and formula (II) is formula (III) and both R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are n-alkyl, then the total number of carbon atoms in R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is more than 12. These compounds may be used as constituents of liquid crystal mixtures which show a room temperature ferroelectric smectic phase, and a number of such mixtures are described.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for asymmetrically reducing a carbonyl compound, which comprises reducing the carbonyl compound by the use of a reducing agent comprising (i) an optically active tartaric acid or ester thereof and (ii) a metal borohydride, thereby producing an optically active hydroxyl compound. The process can be used for the production of optically active hydroxyesters and alcohols from ketoesters and ketones. These products are useful for the production of medicaments and liquid crystals.

Abstract: Novel 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors are useful as anti-hypercholesterolemic agents and are represented by the following general structural formulae (I) and (II): ##STR1##

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of an optically active carboxylic acid or ester derivative thereof from a ketene and an optically active .alpha.-hydroxyester or an .alpha.-hydroxy amide.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a compound of general formula (I): ##STR1## by reacting a compound of general formula (II) ##STR2## (X is halide; rings M and N are optionally substituted) with an optionally substituted phenol in the presence of a base, or with an optionally substituted phenolate salt; preferably in the presence of a catalyst which is a transition metal, a transition metal salt or compound or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing an optically active alcohol is disclosed, which comprises asymmetrically hydrogenating a .beta.-keto acid derivative in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex as a catalyst. The resulting alcohol has high optical purity.

Abstract: A vinyl tricarbonyl compound of the formula ##STR1## or its monohydrate of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1 to C.sub.30 alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, arylalkyl, and cycloalkyl with 3 to 7 carbon atoms,R.sub.2 is hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1 to C.sub.30 alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl with 3 to 7 carbon atoms, cyano, nitro, or a heterocyclic,R.sub.3 is hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1 to C.sub.30 alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl with 3 to 7 carbon atoms, cyano, nitro, or a heterocyclic, andR.sub.4 is unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1 to C.sub.30 alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl are 3 to 7 carbon atoms. Such vinyl tricarbonyl compound is effective against tumor cells.

Abstract: An optically active, generally mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 denotes an alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 denotes an alkyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms; X denotes a single bond, --O--, ##STR2## Y denotes a single bond, ##STR3## --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 --; Z denotes --OCH.sub.2 --, ##STR4## respectively denotes ##STR5## C* denotes an asymmetric carbon atom; k, m and n are respectively 0, 1 or 2 with proviso that k+m+n amounts to 2 or 3; and p is 1 or 2.

Abstract: A process for preparing an optically active alcohol is disclosed, which comprises asymmetrically hydrogenating a 1,3-diketone in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex as a catalyst. The resulting alcohol has high optical purity.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## and stereoisomers thereof, wherein V is an oxygen or a sulphur atom; X and Y, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen or halogen atoms, or optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, optionally substituted aryloxy, optionally substituted arylalkoxy, optionally substituted acyloxy, optionally substituted amino, acylamino, nitro, nitrile, --CO.sub.2 R.sup.3, --CONR.sup.4 R.sup.5, or --COR.sup.6 groups; or the groups X and Y, when they are in adjacent positions on the phenyl ring, may join to form a fused ring, either aromatic or aliphatic, optionally containing one or more heteroatoms; and Z is optionally substituted methylene, optionally substituted amino, oxygen or sulphur and when Z is a substituted methylene group, the substituent may join the 2-position of the phenyl ring to form a non-aromatic fused ring; R.sup.1 and R.

Abstract: Acrylates of the general formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently of one another are each C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkyl, X is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy, haloalkyl, cyano or nitro, W is unsubstituted or alkyl-substituted, saturated or unsaturated C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkylene, Y is hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, aryl, aryloxy, halogen, an unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.4 H.sub.4 chain which is fused to the benzene radical, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkylthio, thiocyanato, cyano, NO.sub.2, ##STR2## where R' and R" independently of one another are each hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio or cycloalkyl, or are phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl, halogen or alkoxy, m is 0 or 1, n is from 1 to 4 and Z is oxygen, sulfur, SO or SO.sub.2, and fungicides containing them.

Abstract: Novel antihypercholesterolemic compounds of structure (I) or (II), ##STR1## pharmaceutically acceptable salts, thereof and a novel process for preparing compounds of structure I, are disclosed.