The present invention relates to an isothiocyanate production method using an organic primary amine and thiourea as starting materials; to a composition for transporting and storing an N-substituted O-substituted thiocarbamate that includes an N-substituted O-substituted thiocarbamate and a hydroxy compound, the equivalent weight ratio of hydroxy groups of the hydroxy compound with respect to the carbamate groups of the N-substituted O-substituted thiocarbamate being in the range of 1 to 100; to a composition for transporting and storing a compound with a thioureido group that includes a compound with a thioureido group and a hydroxy compound, the equivalent weight ratio of hydroxy groups of the hydroxy compound with respect to the thioureido groups of the compound with a thioureido group being in the range of 1 to 100; and to an isothiocyanate composition containing an isothiocyanate and a compound with a specific functional group.

Provided are a heterocyclic carboxylic acid amide ligand and applications thereof in a copper catalyzed coupling reaction. Specifically, provided are uses of a compound represented by formula (I), definitions of radical groups being described in the specifications. The compound represented by formula (I) can be used as the ligand in the copper catalyzed coupling reaction of the aryl halogeno substitute, and is used or catalyzing the coupling reaction for forming the aryl halogeno substitute having CN, CO, CS and other bonds.

##STR00001##

A supported silver catalyst and use thereof in a process for producing an alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide, by the direct oxidation of an alkylene with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, wherein the catalyst provides improved stability and improved resilience to reactor upsets and timely recovery to substantially pre-upset levels of catalyst activity and/or efficiency. In some embodiments, the catalyst also exhibits improved activity. A catalyst capable of producing ethylene oxide at a selectivity of at least 87 percent while achieving a work rate of at least 184 kg/h/m.sup.3 at a temperature of no greater than 235 C. when operated in a process where the inlet feed to a reactor containing the catalyst comprises ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, wherein the concentration of carbon dioxide in the inlet feed is greater than or equal to 2 mole percent.

A supported silver catalyst and use thereof in a process for producing an alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide, by the direct oxidation of an alkylene with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, wherein the catalyst provides improved stability and improved resilience to reactor upsets and timely recovery to substantially pre-upset levels of catalyst activity and/or efficiency. In some embodiments, the catalyst also exhibits improved activity. A catalyst capable of producing ethylene oxide at a selectivity of at least 87 percent while achieving a work rate of at least 184 kg/h/m.sup.3 at a temperature of no greater than 235 C. when operated in a process where the inlet feed to a reactor containing the catalyst comprises ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, wherein the concentration of carbon dioxide in the inlet feed is greater than or equal to 2 mole percent.

Provided are an amine compound represented by the following formula (1), which has a low active hydrogen equivalent weight and thus is capable of providing a cured product having good properties because the amine compound has sufficient curability even though the amount of amine compound blended in an epoxy resin composition is small when the amine compound is used as an epoxy resin curing agent, and an amine composition and an epoxy resin curing agent, which contain the compound:

##STR00001## wherein A is a 1,2-phenylene group, a 1,3-phenylene group, or a 1,4-phenylene group.

Provided are an amine compound represented by the following formula (1), which has a low active hydrogen equivalent weight and thus is capable of providing a cured product having good properties because the amine compound has sufficient curability even though the amount of amine compound blended in an epoxy resin composition is small when the amine compound is used as an epoxy resin curing agent, and an amine composition and an epoxy resin curing agent, which contain the compound:

##STR00001## wherein A is a 1,2-phenylene group, a 1,3-phenylene group, or a 1,4-phenylene group.

Disclosed herein are antimicrobial N-Alkyl-N,N-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-N-benzyl ammonium chlorides of Formula I for preservation of home and personal care products. The invention further discloses a process for preparation of the antimicrobial compounds and home & personal care compositions comprising the N-Alkyl-N,N-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-N-benzyl ammonium chlorides of Formula I ##STR00001## R=C.sub.8-18 saturated or unsaturated alkyl group.

Disclosed herein are antimicrobial N-Alkyl-N,N-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-N-benzyl ammonium chlorides of Formula I for preservation of home and personal care products. The invention further discloses a process for preparation of the antimicrobial compounds and home & personal care compositions comprising the N-Alkyl-N,N-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-N-benzyl ammonium chlorides of Formula I ##STR00001## R=C.sub.8-18 saturated or unsaturated alkyl group.

Disclosed herein are antimicrobial N-Alkyl-N,N-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-N-benzyl ammonium chlorides of Formula I for preservation of home and personal care products. The invention further discloses a process for preparation of the antimicrobial compounds and home & personal care compositions comprising the N-Alkyl-N,N-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-N-benzyl ammonium chlorides of Formula I

##STR00001## R=C.sub.8-18 saturated or unsaturated alkyl group

Disclosed herein are antimicrobial N-Alkyl-N,N-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-N-benzyl ammonium chlorides of Formula I for preservation of home and personal care products. The invention further discloses a process for preparation of the antimicrobial compounds and home & personal care compositions comprising the N-Alkyl-N,N-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-N-benzyl ammonium chlorides of Formula I

##STR00001## R=C.sub.8-18 saturated or unsaturated alkyl group