Abstract: The trimethylsulphonium salt of N-phosphonomethylglycine is prepared by reacting N-phosphonomethylglycine, preferably in the form of a solid, with an aqueous solution of trimethylsulphonium carbonate or trimethylsulphonium bicarbonate or a mixture thereof. The trimethylsulphonium carbonate or trimethylsulphonium bicarbonate may be prepared by bubbling carbon dioxide through an aqueous solution of trimethylsulphonium hydroxide. It is possible to manufacture trimethylsulphonium carbonate or bicarbonate at one site and then transport them to a different site for local manufacture of N-phosphonomethylglycine in a relatively unsophisticated plant which produces minimal effluent.

Abstract: Aromatic (di)chlorosulphonic acids and (di)bromosulphonic acids can be prepared by reacting aromatic sulphonic acids with chlorine or bromine respectively, the reaction advantageously being carried out in the melt of the aromatic sulphonic acids.

Abstract: This specification discloses a process for the production of oxygenated compounds, more specifically aldehydes and alcohols, by reacting an olefin with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of, as a ctalyst, an insoluble polymer containing a functional group, which may be an amine, thiol, phosphine, or arsine group, having chemically bonded thereto a metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table. The metal can be, for example, rhodium, cobalt, or ruthenium. The olefin can contain more than one carbon-to-carbon double bond, may be an open chain or a cyclic olefin, and may be substituted. Further, the olefin may be contained in a refinery stream such as a cracked gasoline. The reaction may be carried out in the presence of a polar solvent.