In one preferred embodiment, polymers are provided that comprise a structure of the following Formula (I): ##STR00001##
Photoresists that comprises such polymers also are provided.

A catalyst has a modified silica support and comprises a modifier metal, zirconium and/or hafnium, and a catalytic metal on the modified support. The catalyst has at least a proportion, typically, at least 25%, of modifier metal present in moieties having a total of up to 2 modifier metal atoms. The moieties may be derived from a monomeric and/or dimeric cation source. A method of production:— provides a silica support with isolated silanol groups with optional treatment to provide isolated silanol groups (—SiOH) at a level of <2.5 groups per nm.sup.2; contacting the optionally treated silica support with a monomeric zirconium or hafnium modifier metal compound to effect adsorption onto the support; optionally calcining the modified support for a time and temperature sufficient to convert the monomeric zirconium or hafnium compound adsorbed on the surface to an oxide or hydroxide of zirconium or hafnium in preparation for catalyst impregnation.

A catalyst has a modified silica support and comprises a modifier metal, zirconium and/or hafnium, and a catalytic metal on the modified support. The catalyst has at least a proportion, typically, at least 25%, of modifier metal present in moieties having a total of up to 2 modifier metal atoms. The moieties may be derived from a monomeric and/or dimeric cation source. A method of production:— provides a silica support with isolated silanol groups with optional treatment to provide isolated silanol groups (—SiOH) at a level of <2.5 groups per nm.sup.2; contacting the optionally treated silica support with a monomeric zirconium or hafnium modifier metal compound to effect adsorption onto the support; optionally calcining the modified support for a time and temperature sufficient to convert the monomeric zirconium or hafnium compound adsorbed on the surface to an oxide or hydroxide of zirconium or hafnium in preparation for catalyst impregnation.

A process for producing alkyl methacrylates, in particular methyl methacrylate (MMA), includes production of methacrolein (MAL) in a first reaction stage; direct oxidative esterification (DOE) of the methacrolein with an alcohol, preferably methanol, to afford an alkyl methacrylate in a second reaction stage; and workup of the alkyl methacrylate crude product from the second reaction stage. An optimized workup of the reactor output from the oxidative esterification of methacrolein involves minimizing the amount of employed water, the amount of employed acid, and/or the amount of aqueous waste streams, through an optimized recycling of the generated process water streams.

A process for producing alkyl methacrylates, in particular methyl methacrylate (MMA), includes production of methacrolein (MAL) in a first reaction stage; direct oxidative esterification (DOE) of the methacrolein with an alcohol, preferably methanol, to afford an alkyl methacrylate in a second reaction stage; and workup of the alkyl methacrylate crude product from the second reaction stage. An optimized workup of the reactor output from the oxidative esterification of methacrolein involves minimizing the amount of employed water, the amount of employed acid, and/or the amount of aqueous waste streams, through an optimized recycling of the generated process water streams.

The present invention provides a composition having excellent control efficacy against plant diseases and a method for controlling plant diseases. A composition for controlling a plant disease comprising a compound represented by formula (I)

##STR00001##

[wherein each symbol represents the same definition as described in the present description] and one or more mitochondrial electron transport system complex II inhibitor(s) selected from Group B has excellent control effects on plant diseases;
Group B: a group consisting of fluxapyroxad, benzovindiflupyr, fluindapyr, pydiflumetofen, 3-(difluoromethyl)-N-(2,3-dihydro-1,1,3-trimethyl-1H-inden-4-yl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, a compound represented by formula (1), a compound represented by formula (2), and a compound represented by formula (3)

##STR00002##

The present invention provides a method for controlling a soybean rust fungus having an amino acid substitution of F129L on mitochondrial cytochrome b protein. According to the present invention, a compound represented by formula (I) [wherein R.sup.1 represents a C1-C3 chain hydrocarbon group and so on, n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, and when is 2 or 3, a plural of R.sup.2 may be identical to or different from each other, and R.sup.2 represents a C1-C3 chain hydrocarbon group and so on, Q represents a group represented by Q1 (where • represents a binding site to a benzene ring) and so on, L.sup.1 represents CH.sub.2 or an oxygen atom, and E represents a C1-C6 alkyl group and so on.] can use to control a soybean rust fungus having an amino acid substitution of F129L on mitochondrial cytochrome b protein.

##STR00001##

##STR00002##

##STR00003##

##STR00004##

The present invention provides a method for controlling a soybean rust fungus having an amino acid substitution of F129L on mitochondrial cytochrome b protein. According to the present invention, a compound represented by formula (I) [wherein R.sup.1 represents a C1-C3 chain hydrocarbon group and so on, n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, and when is 2 or 3, a plural of R.sup.2 may be identical to or different from each other, and R.sup.2 represents a C1-C3 chain hydrocarbon group and so on, Q represents a group represented by Q1 (where • represents a binding site to a benzene ring) and so on, L.sup.1 represents CH.sub.2 or an oxygen atom, and E represents a C1-C6 alkyl group and so on.] can use to control a soybean rust fungus having an amino acid substitution of F129L on mitochondrial cytochrome b protein.

##STR00001##

##STR00002##

##STR00003##

##STR00004##

A compound that helps achieve a high voltage holding ratio (VHR) of a liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal composition that contains this compound, and a liquid crystal display element made with this liquid crystal composition. More specifically, a compound represented by general formula (Y), which has polymerizable groups and polar group(s). A liquid crystal composition containing one or two or more compounds represented by general formula (Y), each of which has polymerizable groups and polar group(s). A liquid crystal display element made with a liquid crystal composition that contains one or two or more compounds represented by general formula (Y), each of which has polymerizable groups and polar group(s).

A calixarene compound represented by formula (1) below is provided. The calixarene compound contains, per molecule, at least one —CH.sub.2OH group or phenolic hydroxy group and at least one carbon-carbon unsaturated bond. R.sup.1's are a structural moiety (A), which has a —CH.sub.2OH group; a structural moiety (B), which has a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond; a structural moiety (C), which has a —CH.sub.2OH group and a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond; a monovalent organic group (D), which is different from (A), (B), and (C); or a hydrogen atom (E). R.sup.2's are (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) provided that not all R.sup.2's are (E). R.sup.3's are one of a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group, and an aryl group, n is 2 to 10. * is a point of attachment to an aromatic ring. A curable composition including the calixarene compound is provided. A cured product of the curable composition is provided ##STR00001##