Abstract: An inert organic solvent dispersion of alkali hydroxide is prepared by mixing an alkali hydroxide, an inert organic solvent and a stabilizer and heating and stirring at the temperature for forming the pasty alkali hydroxide and cooling the dispersion. The dispersion of alkali hydroxide is used in a reaction of an active methylene compound with an organoalkyl halide such as a reaction of a halophenylacetonitrile with an isopropyl halide to obtain .alpha.-isopropyl halophenylacetonitrile.

Abstract: A fluorine derivative of 3,3-dimethyl-butan-2-one, of the formula ##STR1## in which X is hydrogen or fluorine,is produced by reacting a metal fluoride in a diluent and at elevated temperature with a sulphonic acid ester of the formula ##STR2## in which R is optionally substituted alkyl or optionally substituted aryl, andY is hydrogen or O--SO.sub.2 --R.The product is useful in the synthesis of fungicides.

Abstract: Symmetrical 1,3-dichloroacetone is prepared by contacting chlorine with an aqueous mixture of acetone, monochloroacetone, or mixtures thereof and an iodine-containing promoter.

Abstract: Compounds of formula ##STR1## wherein Y is .dbd.N-- or .dbd.CH--, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl, cycloalkyl, or phenyl and Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are carbonyl or a derivative thereof, or salts or metal complexes thereof. These compounds have fungicidal and plant growth regulating activity.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of monohalogenated ketone is described wherein the ketone is vaporized in a collection vessel, and the vapors are caused to pass upwardly through a defined reaction zone into a condensation zone where they are condensed and caused to flow downwardly into the reaction zone. In the reaction zone their flow toward the collection zone is retarded, and while retarded, halogen is directed thereagainst. The halogenated ketone so formed is removed into the collection zone such as by directing condensed non-halogenated ketone thereagainst.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed which have a juvenile hormone action on insects and also exhibit acaricide action. Said compounds are unsaturated aliphatic compounds having a trichloromethyl end group and the other end group of which is a phenol group which may be substituted and/or condensed, and which are capable of hindering the growth of insects from the larval to the adult stage and also exhibit an acaricide action on both adult acari and their eggs.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved procedures for preparing pinacolone from compounds of general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein, either adjacent two of A, B, C and D form a single bond between them and the remaining two are hydrogen atoms, or both A and D are hydrogen atoms and one of B and C is a hydrogen atom and the other represents OH, Cl, Br, HSO.sub.4, H.sub.2 PO.sub.4 or ClO.sub.4, anda new procedure which enables preparing pinacolone from a compound of general formula (II) ##STR2## wherein, both W and Y are each hydrogen atoms and X and Z are the same or different and each represents OH, Cl, Br, HSO.sub.4, H.sub.2 PO.sub.4, ClO.sub.4 or RCOO wherein R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or one of W and Y is a hydrogen atom and the other forms a single bond together with X, and Z represents OH, Cl, Br, HSO.sub.4 H.sub.2 PO.sub.4, ClO.sub.4 or RCOO where R is defined as above.

Abstract: Novel substituted propargyl alcohols of the formula: ##STR1## novel allylic alcohols of the formula: ##STR2## and; .delta.,.epsilon.-unsaturated ketones of the formula: ##STR3## are provided. In the above formulas, R represents a group of the formula: ##STR4## wherein X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are both hydrogen atoms or wherein one of X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, the other jointly with Z represents a bond; Z jointly with X.sub.1 or X.sub.2 represents a bond or separately represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a lower alkoxy group; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and represents hydrogen atoms or lower alkyl groups; n is 1 or 2; and when n is 2, X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may be the same or different. These novel compounds are easily produced and are useful as perfumes and as interrelated intermediates for the production of terpenoid compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the coupling of a Grignard reagent RMgX with an allylic halide in the presence of a dipolar aprotic solvent wherein the improvement, for obtaining improved yield and selectivity, comprises adding a catalyst to said Grignard or allylic halide and then carrying out the coupling reaction by the addition of the Grignard reagent to the allylic halide, said reaction being characterized by the displacement at the gamma position (relative to the halide) of the allylic halide with R of the Grignard reagent, migration of the allylic double bond in the direction of the halogen atom and loss of halogen. The present invention also resides in the discovery of certain novel procedures for the synthesis of Vitamin E. Specific embodiments of this aspect of the invention reside in the syntheses of 6,7-dehydrophytol, 10,11-dihydrofarnesene, phytone, hexahydropseudoionone, and related compounds as precursors for Vitamin E.

Abstract: Process for preparing an organic compound of the formula R.sup.2 R.sup.2 CFC(O)R.sup.3, which process comprises contacting and reacting in a reaction mixture which includes an inert solvent, at a temperature of -40.degree. C. to -100.degree. C., ROF and ##STR1## R is polyfluoroperhaloalkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms or FOCF.sub.2 ; R.sup.1 is hydrocarbyl of 1-6 carbon atoms;each R.sup.2 is selected from H, alkyl of 1-17 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 3-6 carbon atoms, aryl, heteroaryl and such alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl substituted by halogen or alkoxy of 1-6 carbon atoms;R.sup.3 is selected from H, alkyl and haloalkyl of 1-16 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 3-10 carbon atoms, aryl and haloaryl, OSi(R.sup.1).sub.3, OH, NH.sub.2, alkoxy of 1-6 carbon atoms, aryloxy, NHR.sup.1 and NR.sup.1.sub.2 wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms, N-arylamino and nitrogen or sulfur heterocyclic of 4-5 carbon atoms;R.sup.3 and one R.sup.2 taken together is a diradical which with the C.dbd.