Abstract: A polymer composition including a polymer having a hydroxyl group and a histidine or a histidine derivative grafted to the polymer having a hydroxyl group. A polymer material is also provided, including a polymer composition which includes a polymer having a hydroxyl group, and a histidine or a histidine derivative grafted to the polymer having a hydroxyl group.

Abstract: A polymer composition including a polymer having a hydroxyl group and a histidine or a histidine derivative grafted to the polymer having a hydroxyl group. A polymer material is also provided, including a polymer composition which includes a polymer having a hydroxyl group, and a histidine or a histidine derivative grafted to the polymer having a hydroxyl group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the synthesis of (3R)-3-hydroxy-?-ionone and its (3S)-enantiomer in high optical purity from commercially available (rac)-?-ionone. The key intermediate for the synthesis of these hydroxyionones is 3-keto-?-ionone ketal that was prepared from (rac)-?-ionone after protection of this ketone as a 1,3-dioxolane. Reduction of 3-keto-?-ionone ketal followed by deprotection, lead to 3-hydroxy-?-ionone that was transformed into (rac)-3-hydrox-?-ionone by base-catalyzed double bond isomerization in 46% overall yield from (rac)-?-ionone. The racemic mixture of these hydroxyionones was then resolved by enzyme-mediated acylation in 96% ee. (3R)-3-Hydroxy-?-ionone and its (3S)-enantiomer were respectively transformed to (3R)-3-hydroxy-(?-ionylideneethyl)triphenylphosphonium chloride [(3R)-C15-Wittig salt] and its (3S)-enantiomer [(3S)-C15-Wittig salt] according to known procedures.

Abstract: (3R,3?R,6?R)-Lutein and (3R,3?R)-zeaxanthin are two dietary carotenoids that are present in most fruits and vegetables commonly consumed in the US. These carotenoids accumulate in the human plasma, major organs, and ocular tissues. In the past decade, numerous epidemiological and experimental studies have shown that lutein and zeaxanthin play an important role in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. and Western World. The invention provides a process for the synthesis of (3R,3?R,6?R)-lutein and its stereoisomers from commercially available (rac)-?-ionone by a C15+C10+C15 coupling strategy. In addition, the present invention also provides access to the precursors of optically active carotenoids with 3-hydroxy-?-end group that are otherwise difficult to synthesize. The process developed for the synthesis of lutein and its stereoisomers is straightforward and has potential for commercialization.

Abstract: (3R)-3-Hydroxy-?-ionone and (3S)-3-hydroxy-?-ionone are two important intermediates in the synthesis of carotenoids with ?-end group such as lutein, zeaxanthin, ?-cryptoxanthin, and their stereoisomers. Among the various stereoisomers of these carotenoids, only (3R,3?R,6?R)-lutein, (3R,3?R)-zeaxanthin, and (3R)-?-cryptoxanthin are present in commonly consumed fruits and vegetables. There are 3 possible stereoisomers for zeaxanthin, these are: dietary (3R,3?R)-zeaxanthin (1), non-dietary (3S,3?S)-zeaxanthin (2), and non-dietary (3R,3?S;meso)-zeaxanthin (3) which is a presumed metabolite of dietary lutein. Dietary lutein as well as 1 and 3 are accumulated in the human macula and have been implicated in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration. (3R)-?-Cryptoxanthin (4) is also present in selected ocular tissues at a very low concentration whereas its enantiomer (3S)-?-cryptoxanthin (5) is absent in foods and human plasma.

Abstract: (3R,3?R,6?R)-Lutein and (3R,3?R)-zeaxanthin are two dietary carotenoids that are present in most fruits and vegetables commonly consumed in the US. These carotenoids accumulate in the human plasma, major organs, and ocular tissues. In the past decade, numerous epidemiological and experimental studies have shown that lutein and zeaxanthin play an important role in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. and Western World. The invention provides a process for the synthesis of (3R,3?R,6?R)-lutein and its stereoisomers from commercially available (rac)-?-ionone by a C15+C10+C15 coupling strategy. In addition, the present invention also provides access to the precursors of optically active carotenoids with 3-hydroxy-?-end group that are otherwise difficult to synthesize. The process developed for the synthesis of lutein and its stereoisomers is straightforward and has potential for commercialization.