Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of pharmaceuticals and medicine. More particularly, the present invention relates to certain compounds (e.g., ?-ketoglutarate compounds; compounds that activate HIF? hydroxylase; compounds that increases the level of ?-ketoglutarate, etc.) and their use in medicine, for example, in the treatment of cancer (e.g., cancer in which the activity of one of the enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is down regulated), in the treatment of angiogenesis (e.g., hypoxia-induced angiogenesis). One preferred class of compounds are ?-ketoglutarate compounds having a hydrophobic moiety that is, or is part of, an ester group formed from one of the acid groups of ?-ketogluartic acid; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, amides, esters, ethers, N-oxides, chemically protected forms, and prodrugs thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are a photo-sensitive compound and a photoresist composition containing the same, for forming ultra-fine photoresist patterns. The photo-sensitive compound is resented by following Formula 1, wherein x is an integer of 1 to 5, y is an integer of 2 to 6, R is a C2˜C20 hydrocarbon group. The photoresist composition comprises 1˜85 weight % of a photo-sensitive compound represented by following Formula 1, 1˜55 weight % of a compound which reacts with a hydroxyl group (—OH) of the compound represented by Formula 1 to combine with the photo-sensitive compound represented by Formula 1; 1˜15 weight % of a photo-acid generator; and 12˜97 weight % of an organic solvent.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for stabilizing an organic material against oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation, which comprises incorporating therein or applying thereto at least a compound of the formula (I) wherein the general symbols are as defined in claim 1. The compounds of the formula I are especially useful as processing stabilizers for synthetic polymers.

Abstract: The present compound represented by formula(I) CH2?CR1—COO—(L)k-E1-E2-E3-(E4)m-(E5)n-R2??(1) provided that the symbols in the formula have the following meanings: R1: a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R2: a C1-8 alkyl group; L: —(CH2)pO—, —(CH2)q—, -Cy-COO— (Cy is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group), -Cy-OCO—, -E6-(CH2)2—, -E7-CH2O— or -E8-O— (wherein each of p and q which are independent of each other, is an integer of from 2 to 8); E1, E2, E3 E4, E5, E6, E7, E8: each independently a 1,4-pheneylene group or a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group (provided that at least one of E1, E2 and E3 is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group, and in a case where L is -Cy-OCO—, E1 is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group),and k, m, n: each independently 0 or 1, provided that when k is 1 and L is -Cy-COO—, -Cy-OCO—, -E6-(CH2)2—, -E7-CH2O— or -E8-O—, at least one of m and n is 0. The present compound is useful for liquid crystal composition and optical element.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel compounds of the formula I, II; III or IV wherein the general symbols are as defined in claim 1. These compounds are useful as surface modifiers for polymers in order to improve resistance to fog formation or water and oil repellency.

Abstract: In the production of carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid ester, a reaction product containing the carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid ester which has been produced by the reaction of an olefin, carbon monoxide, and water or an alcohol in the presence of HF is heat-treated in the presence of an acid catalyst and an acid adsorbent. By the heat treatment, the contamination of the carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid ester with HF and/or fluorine compounds such as acyl fluorides can be prevented, to enable the stable production of a high quality and high purity carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid ester without causing troubles such as corrosion of apparatus.

Abstract: A polymer comprising structural units derived from a polycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (I) wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently at each occurrence selected from the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a halogen, an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons, a cycloaliphatic functionality having 3 to 10 carbons, and an aromatic functionality having 6 to 10 carbons; wherein each occurrence of “n”, “m”, and “p” independently has a value of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; and wherein the polymer is substantially linear.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel cascade polymer complexes, to compositions comprising these compounds, to the use of the complexes in NMR diagnosis, and to processes for preparing these compounds and compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a phenoxy alkanoic, alkenoic, or alkynoic acid or a salt thereof from a phenoxy containing compound via a dicarboxylate intermediate. The phenoxy alkanoic, alkenoic, and alkynoic acids and salts thereof prepared by this method are suitable for use in composition for delivering active agents via oral or other routes of administration to animals. Furthermore, the present invention relates to phenoxy dicarboxylic acids and their salts for delivering active agents, such as biologically or chemically active agents, to a target.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel compounds of the formula I, II; III or IV wherein the general symbols are as defined in claim 1. These compounds are useful as surface modifiers for polymers in order to improve resistance to fog formation or water and oil repellency.

Abstract: A photosensitive monomer of formula. “L1”, “L2”, “L3”, “L4”, “L5”, “L6” are selected from hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, cyano, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, and alkylcarbonyloxy having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, in which one or more hydrogen atoms may be substituted by fluorine or chlorine. “R1”, “R2”, “R3” and “R4” are selected from hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, cyano, thiocyanato, pentafluoro sulfanyl, nitrite, straight-chained alkyl/branched alkyl, and a “Z-Sp-P” group. At least one of “R1”, “R2”, “R3” and “R4” is “Z-Sp-P” group. “Z” is selected from oxygen, sulfur, methyoxy, carbonyl, caroboxyl, carbamoyl, methylthio, ethenylcarbonyl, carbonylethenyl, and a single bond. “Sp” is selected from straight-chained alkyl or branched alkyl and a single bond. “P” comprises a polymerizable group.

Abstract: A polymerizable liquid crystal composition containing compounds represented by the formula (1-1) and the formula (1-2), compounds represented by the formula (2-1) and the formula (2-2), and a compound represented by the formula (3-1): the polymerizable liquid crystal composition having homogeneous, homeotropic, or hybrid alignment, which can be coated on a support substrate, for example, of a transparent plastic film such as a triacetyl cellulose film or cycloolefin polymer film, or glass, and is aligned on a substrate as a polymer film while maintaining the alignment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coupling method between intramolecular carbon using the intramolecular cyclization reaction in situ of an allyl-indium compound derived from an allyl derivative containing an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound and indium, in presence of a transition metal compound catalyst. More particularly, the present invention relates to a coupling method between intramolecular carbon for preparing a cyclic compound having a vinyl group as a substituent by bonding a carbon in an allyl derivative containing an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound and a carbon in the unsaturated hydrocarbon compound via intramolecular cyclization reaction in situ of an allyl-indium compound as a coupling agent derived from the allyl derivative containing the unsaturated hydrocarbon and indium (In), in presence of a palladium catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for preparing a polymer comprising structural units derived from polycyclic dihydroxy compound having Formula (I), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a nitro functionality, an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10 carbons, a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons and an aromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; R2 is selected from the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a nitro functionality, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10 carbons, a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons and an aromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; and each R3 and R4, at each occurrence, can be the same or different and are independently at each occurrence an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons or a cycloaliphatic functionality having 3 to 10 carbons, “n” is an integer having a value 0 to 4 and “m” is an integer ha

Abstract: Mixtures of terephthalate diesters having lowered freezing points and methods of making the terephthalic acid diesters. The method includes contacting a first alcohol, a second different alcohol and dimethyl terephthalate in the presence of a catalyst to thereby form the terephthalate diesters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid-crystal display of the PSA (polymer sustained alignment) type, and to novel liquid-crystal media and novel polymerizable compounds for use in PSA displays.

Abstract: A polymer comprises structural units derived from a polycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (I) wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a nitro functionality, an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10 carbons, a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons and an aromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; R2 is selected from the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a nitro functionality, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10 carbons, a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons and an aromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; and R3 and R4 are independently at each occurrence a hydrogen, an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons or a cycloaliphatic functionality having 3 to 10 carbons.

Abstract: Mixtures of isomeric dialkyl phthalates that have a desired viscosity are prepared by esterifying phthalic acid or phthalic anhydride with a mixture of isomeric alkyl alcohols having a certain carbon number of carbon atoms, where the molar fraction of each alkyl alcohol isomer of the isomeric alcohol mixture is determined, and where the viscosity parameter of each alkyl alcohol isomer of the alcohol mixture, which, upon reacting with phthalic acid or phthalic anhydride, results in a mixed isomer dialkyl phalate ester product having a specific desired viscosity, is determined in accordance with formula (I): ln(?)=??i*ln(?i) ??(I) where ?=the calculated viscosity of a dialkyl phthalate mixture, ?i=the molar fraction of an isomerically pure alcohol (i), and ?i=the viscosity parameter of isomerically pure alcohol (i).

Abstract: A process is described for preparing mixtures of diesters of phthalic acid with decanols and tridecanols by reacting phthalic acid or a reactive derivative of phthalic acid with a mixture made from at least one decanol and at least one tridecanol. Mixtures obtainable in this way are also described, as is their use as plasticizers for molding compositions, and also mixtures of isomeric tridecanols suitable for preparing the mixtures of diesters.

Abstract: Ester mixture comprising at least one ester of an aliphatic or aromatic di- or tricarboxylic acid having a C10 alcohol component composed of 2-propylheptanol or composed of a C10 alcohol mixture composed of 2-propylheptanol and of at least one of the C10 alcohols 2-propyl-4-methylhexanol, 2-propyl-5-methylhexanol, 2-isopropylheptanol, 2-isopropyl-4-methylhexanol, 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexanol, and/or 2-propyl-4,4-dimethylpentanol, and comprising at least one ester of an aliphatic or aromatic di- or tricarboxylic acid having a C7 alcohol component composed of n-heptanol or composed of an alcohol mixture composed of n-heptanol with at least one of the C7 alcohols 2-methylhexanol and/or 2-ethylpentanol, where the aliphatic or aromatic di- or tricarboxylic acid has been selected from the group consisting of citric acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, and trimellitic acid, and polyvinyl chloride composition comprising this ester mixture.

Abstract: A diester represented by the formula wherein A represents a cyclohexane ring, cyclohexene ring or benzene ring, X is H or methyl group, RX and RY are the same or different and each is C3-C18 branched-chain alkyl group, C1-C18 straight-chain alkyl group, C2-C18 straight-chain alkenyl or C3-C18 cycloalkyl, provided that when A is a benzene ring, RX and RY are different from each other and —COORX and —COORY are attached to two adjacent carbon atoms of the benzene ring, and having the following properties: 1) a total acid number of 0.05 mgKOH/g or less, 2) a sulfated ash content of 10 ppm or less, 3) a sulfur content of 20 ppm or less, 4) a phosphorus content of 20 ppm or less, 5) a peroxide value of 1.0 meq/kg or less, 6) a carbonyl value of 10 or less; 7) a volume resistivity of 1×1011 ?·cm or more, 8) a hydroxyl value of 3 mgKOH/g or less, and 9) a water content of 100 ppm or less, a process for preparing the same and a refrigerator lubricating oil comprising the diester.

Abstract: 2,3,3?,4?-Biphenyltetracarboxylic acid tetraester is predominantly produced by a process in which a phthalic acid diester is subjected to oxidative-coupling reaction in the presence of molecular oxygen and a catalyst comprising a rhodium-containing compound.

Abstract: A dihydroxy aromatic compound having a Formula (I) wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a nitro functionality, an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10 carbons, a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons and an aromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; R2 is selected from the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a nitro functionality, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10 carbons, a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons and an aromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; and each R3 and R4, at each occurrence, can be the same or different and are independently at each occurrence an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons or a cycloaliphatic functionality having 3 to 10 carbons, “n” is an integer having a value 0 to 4 and “m” is an integer having a value 0 to 4.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dissolution method for saturated polyester capable of recycling saturated polyester used in fibers, a film, a bottle and others with ease and a low cost, a solution decomposing saturated polyester and a decomposition method using the solution.

Abstract: An aromatic polyester is pre-decomposed by heating together with bis-?-hydroxyethyl terephthalate and/or a low condensate thereof and then, reacted with ethylene glycol to convert the terephthalic acid component of the pre-decomposed product into bis-?-hydroxyethyl terephthalate and/or a low condensate thereof. The thus obtained solution composition, that is, bis-?-hydroxyethyl terephthalate solution composition containing ethylene glycol, bis-?-hydroxyethyl terephthalate and cations and/or anions as impurities is brought into contact with a cation exchanger and/or an anion exchanger to remove cations and anions as impurities to produce bis-?-hydroxyethyl terephthalate having a small content of ions.

Abstract: A retardation plate having a high film strength and having an optical property is provided by using a biaxial liquid crystal compound, in which the direction having a minimum refractive index of the optically anisotropic thin layer almost coincides with the normal direction in the film plane of the retardation plate, and the retardation plate comprises a transparent support and at least one optically anisotropic layer containing a liquid crystal compound capable of expressing a biaxial liquid crystal phase, wherein the liquid crystal compound is a polymerizable compound and/or a polymer compound.

Abstract: Liquid crystal monomers and secondary monomers useful to blend with liquid crystal monomers to maintain a nematic state under processing conditions while maintaining low cure shrinkage, particularly suitable for use in dental resin composites.

Abstract: The invention relates to chiral photoisomerizable compounds of formula (I) wherein X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6 have the meanings given in claim 1, to liquid crystalline mixtures and polymers containing them, and to the use of chiral photoisomerizable compounds, liquid crystalline mixtures and polymers containing them in optical and electrooptical devices like liquid crystal displays or projection systems, in optical elements like polarizers, retardation films, compensators, color filters or holographic elements, in liquid crystal pigments and colored films or coatings for decorative or security applications, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, in nonlinear optics and optical information storage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel cycloalkyl-hydroxyl compounds, compositions comprising hydroxyl compounds, and methods useful for treating and preventing a variety of diseases and conditions such as, but not limited to aging, Alzheimer's Disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, a disorder of glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia, dyslipoproteinemia, hypertension, impotence, inflammation, insulin resistance, lipid elimination in bile, obesity, oxysterol elimination in bile, pancreatitis, Parkinson's disease, a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-associated disorder, phospholipid elimination in bile, renal disease, septicemia, Syndrome X, thrombotic disorder. Compounds and methods of the invention can also be used to modulate C reactive protein or enhance bile production in a patient.

Abstract: A method of increasing helical twisting power (HTP) in an optically active compound used in a liquid crystal material is provided. An optically active compound which exhibits a large HTP value is also provided. Furthermore, a liquid crystal composition which exhibits a high upper temperature limit of the liquid crystal after the addition of the optically active compound, and a liquid crystal display device using the same are provided. In a method, an HTP of a compound having a partial structure represented by formula (A), which has an asymmetric carbon atom, is increased by replacing the partial structure represented by formula (A) by a partial structure represented by formula (B) (wherein * represents the position of an asymmetric carbon atom, Y1 represents a substituent such as an alkyl group and a halogen).

Abstract: New, efficient methods for making novel platform molecules and polymerizable mesogens are provided, as well as the novel mesogens and methods of using same.

Abstract: A dimethyl terephthalate composition includes 0.001 to 200 ppm of methyl 4-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)benzoate and 0 to 1 ppm of dimethyl hydroxyterephthalate contained in dimethyl terephthalate, and exhibits improved properties as a material for producing polyester.

Abstract: Bis-?-hydroxyethyl terephthalate having an optical density measured in a 10 wt % methanol solution at a measurement wavelength of 380 nm and a cell optical path length of 10 mm of 0.000 to 0.006. The present invention makes it clear that purified BHET having an optical density of 0.006 or less provides high-quality PET having excellent purity, whiteness and transparency.

Abstract: The compound of formula in which the wavy line represents a bond having a configuration of the type (Z) or (E), or a mixture of the two configurations; R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1 to C4 linear or branched alkyl radical, a methoxy or ethoxycarbonyl radical, or an aryl radical, and R2 represents a methyl or ethyl group, possess interesting organoleptic properties and can be advantageously used for the preparation of perfuming compositions to which it gives, in particular, a very natural connotation of the pear type.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkylidene substituted succinates comprising a step (a) in which is carried out the reaction of a carbonilic compound, a succinic and a base in a reaction medium and a step (b) in which the alkylidene substituted product obtained in (a) is esterified, characterized in that the succinic ester is used in a molar amount substantially equal to, or lower than, the amount of compound carbonilic compound, (ii) the base is used in a molar amount substantially equal to the succinic ester and is selected from metal hydrides and metal and alkoxides, and (iii) the reaction medium comprises an aprotic liquid medium or a protic liquid medium having a Ka, measured in water, lower than that of iPrOH.

Abstract: A method for producing biphenyl and its derivative comprising oxidatively coupling a benzene aromatic compound in the presence of a catalyst comprising a palladium salt, a copper salt, and a bidentate ligand compound capable of forming a complex with the palladium salt via the nitrogen atom and the oxygen atom in the molecule thereof in an atmosphere containing molecular oxygen. In particular, an improved method for selectively producing an asymmetrically substituted biphenyl derivative, such as a 2,3,3?,4?-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid tetraester, which comprises oxidatively coupling a substituted aromatic compound, such as a phthalic diester, in the presence of the catalyst in an atmosphere containing molecular oxygen without replenishing with a ligand.

Abstract: A production process, especially a continuous production process, for a biphenyltetracarboxylic acid tetraester characterized by carrying out, in parallel, a step of preliminarily mixing a phthalic acid diester and a palladium compound-containing catalyst to prepare a starting mixture, a step of continuously or intermittently supplying the starting mixture to a reactor, a step of conducting oxidative dimerization reaction of the phthalic acid diester in a temperature range of from 140° C. and lower than 250° C. while supplying molecular oxygen to the reactor to form a reaction mixture in the reactor, and a step of continuously or intermittently removing a portion of the reaction mixture from the reactor.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 are each independently of the other C1-C8alkyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, m is 1, 2 or 3, preferably 2, n is an integer from 1 to 30, and R3 is an n-valent radical from linear or branched C4-C30alkyl, which is optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms, or (when n=1-12) an n-valent radical from C5-C12cycloalkyl, or a radical R4—[NR5—CmH2m—]p, R4 is hydrogen, an n-valent radical from linear or branched C4-C30alkyl, which is optionally interrupted by one or more —NR5— groups, or (when n=1-12) an n-valent radical from C5-C12cycloalkyl, R5 radicals, each independently of any other(s), are hydrogen or methyl or —CmH2m—, preferably hydrogen, and p corresponds to the number of —[NR5—CmH2m—] groups that gives n —CmH2m— radicals per molecule, by reaction of a compound of formula (II) wherein R is C1-C3alkyl, with a compound of formula (III) R3(OH)n??(III) wherein R3 and n have the definitions given, wherein the reaction

Abstract: Disclosed are polyester-ether polyols and their use in urethane prepolymers, urethane foams and non-foam urethane coatings, adhesives, sealants and/or elastomers. Methods for producing such polyester-ether polyols using double metal cyanide catalysts are disclosed, along with methods for producing urethane prepolymers. The polyester-ether polyols of the instant invention are preferably the reaction product of phthalic anhydride, diethylene glycol, and propylene oxide. These polyester-ether polyols are useful as either the primary polyol in urethane compositions or in combination with conventional auxiliary polyester- and/or polyether-based polyols. The polyester-ether polyols impart greatly improved solubility and compatibility to mixtures of either polyether and/or polyester polyols. The polyester-ether polyols of the instant invention are desirably of lower viscosity than their precursor intermediate polyester polyols and are generally soluble in either polyester- and/or polyether-based polyols.

Abstract: A novel polymerizable compound represented by Formula (I) is disclosed. In the formula, A1 to A4 respectively denotes a hydrogen or substituent and at least one of A1 to A4 is halogen, alkyl group, alkoxy group, formyl or cyano; B1 and B2 respectively denotes a substituent and at least one of them is a substituent containing acryloyloxy, methacryloyloxy or epoxy. An optical compensator comprising a layer formed from a compound represented by Formula (I) is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a process for the continuous preparation of polybutylene terephthalate from terephthalic acid and 1,4-butanediol comprising: a) direct esterification of terephthalic acid with 1,4-butanediol in a reactor cascade comprising at least two reactors, b) precondensation of the esterification product obtained in stage a), and c) polycondensation of the precondensate obtained in stage b), the reaction pressure decreases and the temperature does not increase along the reactor cascade in stage a).

Abstract: A 4-membered compound is represented by the following formula (I) is disclosed (in the formula, X1 and X2 each independently represent an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a substituted or unsubstituted imino group, Y1 and Y2 each independently represent a single bond, an oxygen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted imino group, B1 and B2 each independently represent an optionally substituted aliphatic, aliphatic carbonyl, aromatic or aromatic carbonyl group having 1-20 carbon atoms, and A1 and A2 each independently represent a group represented by the following formula (II) (Ar1, Ar2 and Ar3 each independently represent a cyclic group having 5-14 carbon atoms, L1 and L2 each independently represent a single bond or a divalent linking group, and p represents an integer of 0-2)). There is also disclosed a birefringence medium containing a 4-membered compound represented by the formula (I) and an optical element comprising the birefringence medium.

Abstract: An optically active compound of the following general formula (1), wherein A is —C≡C— or —COO—, each of R1 and R2 is independently CnH2n+1—, (C2H5)2CHCH2C*H(CH3)OOC—, CmH2m+1C*H(CH3)OOC— or C6H5C*H(CH3)OOC— in which n is an integer of 2 to 5, m is an integer of 5 to 9, C6H5— is phenyl group, and C* is an asymmetric carbon, provided that there is no case where R1 and R2 are together CnH2n+1— or C6H5C*H(CH3)OOC— and that when both R1 and R2 are CmH2m+1C*H(CH3)OOC—, m in CmH2m+1C*H(CH3)OOC— represented by R1 and m in CmH2m+1C*H(CH3)OOC— represented by R2 may be different integers. The optically active compound of the present invention is excellently valuable as a chiral dopant since it has properties that its helical twisting power (HTP) is at least 9, that a helical pitch induced decreases with an increase in temperature and further that its birefringence (&Dgr;n) is large.

Abstract: Selective ether cleavage for making platform molecules and polymerizable mesogens.

Abstract: A novel achiral biaryl-type compound and a circular dichroism (CD) color fixing agent are provided. Furthermore, a method for determining an absolute configuration of a chiral compound is carried out by introducing the above achiral biaryl-type compound into the chiral compound.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing a high-purity bis-&bgr;-hydroxyethyl terephthalate from crude terephthalic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formula: wherein R1 is H or C1-C6alkyl and the C1-C6alkyl moiety is straight or branched; R2 and R3 are each independently C1-C6alkyl and the C1-C6alkyl moiety is straight or branched; or stereoisomers thereof.

Abstract: A production process, especially a continuous production process, for a biphenyltetracarboxylic acid tetraester characterized by carrying out, in parallel, a step of preliminarily mixing a phthalic acid diester and a palladium compound-containing catalyst to prepare a starting mixture, a step of continuously or intermittently supplying the starting mixture to a reactor, a step of conducting oxidative dimerization reaction of the phthalic acid diester in a temperature range of from 140° C. and lower than 250° C. while supplying molecular oxygen to the reactor to form a reaction mixture in the reactor, and a step of continuously or intermittently removing a portion of the reaction mixture from the reactor.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compounds of the formula: wherein R1 is H or C1-C6alkyl and the C1-C6alkyl moiety is straight or branched; R2 and R3 are each independently C1-C6alkyl and the C1-C6alkyl moiety is straight or branched; X is Cl, Br or I; or stereoisomers thereof.

Abstract: Zirconocene compounds with two indenyl ligands linked in the 2 position by means of a two-carbon-atoms divalent bridging group can be suitably used as components of catalysts for the polymerization of olefins. Particularly it is possible to prepare, with high yields, ethylene (co)polymers having low molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions, without the need of using considerable amounts of molecular weight regulators, such as hydrogen.