The invention provides methods of preparing 8-hydroxy-2,2,14,14-tetramethylpentadecanedioic acid and methods of making a pharmaceutical material comprising a purified amount of 8-hydroxy-2,2,14,14-tetramethylpentadecanedioic acid. Also provided are compositions and pharmaceutical materials including a purified amount of 8-hydroxy-2,2,14,14-tetramethylpentadecanedioic acid as well as methods of treating various diseases and conditions using the compositions and pharmaceutical materials.

A process for a preparation of arylsulfonylpropenenitriles is disclosed. A reaction starting from arylsulfonyl iodides is catalyzed by light. The process is scalable, environmentally benign and provides the product in good yield.

A process for a preparation of arylsulfonylpropenenitriles is disclosed. A reaction starting from arylsulfonyl iodides is catalyzed by light. The process is scalable, environmentally benign and provides the product in good yield.

Provided are methods of producing sulfur- and phosphorus-containing polymers from beta-lactones. The sulfur- and phosphorus-containing polymers include bio-based sulfur- and phosphorus-containing polymers that may be obtained from renewable sources.

Provided are methods of producing sulfur- and phosphorus-containing polymers from beta-lactones. The sulfur- and phosphorus-containing polymers include bio-based sulfur- and phosphorus-containing polymers that may be obtained from renewable sources.

A process for preparing diaryl sulfones, such as 4,4-dichlorodiphenylsulfone is disclosed. The process comprises contacting an aryl compound with sulfur trioxide to provide a benzene sulfonic acid. The benzene sulfonic acid is coupled to additional aryl compound in the presence of a catalyst. During the coupling step, the additional aryl compound is continuously added while water is removed.

A process for preparing diaryl sulfones, such as 4,4-dichlorodiphenylsulfone is disclosed. The process comprises contacting an aryl compound with sulfur trioxide to provide a benzene sulfonic acid. The benzene sulfonic acid is coupled to additional aryl compound in the presence of a catalyst. During the coupling step, the additional aryl compound is continuously added while water is removed.

A process for preparing diaryl sulfones, such as 4,4-dichlorodiphenylsulfone is disclosed. The process comprises contacting an aryl compound with sulfur trioxide to provide a benzene sulfonic acid. The benzene sulfonic acid is coupled to additional aryl compound in the presence of a catalyst. During the coupling step, the additional aryl compound is continuously added while water is removed.

A method for preparing a compound and a method for preparing a polymer employing the same are provided. The method for preparing a compound includes reacting a compound having a structure represented by Formula (I) with a compound having a structure represented by Formula (III) in the presence of a compound having a structure represented by Formula (II) to obtain a compound having a structure represented by Formula (IV) ##STR00001##
wherein Ar.sup.1 is substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; X is O, S, or NH; R.sup.1 is independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl group; R.sup.2 is hydroxyl group, C.sub.1-6 alkyl group, phenyl group, or tolyl group; and R.sup.3 is independently C.sub.1-6 alkyl group, C.sub.5-8 cycloalkyl group, or C.sub.2-6 alkoxyalkyl group.

A method for preparing a compound and a method for preparing a polymer employing the same are provided. The method for preparing a compound includes reacting a compound having a structure represented by Formula (I) with a compound having a structure represented by Formula (III) in the presence of a compound having a structure represented by Formula (II) to obtain a compound having a structure represented by Formula (IV) ##STR00001##
wherein Ar.sup.1 is substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; X is O, S, or NH; R.sup.1 is independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl group; R.sup.2 is hydroxyl group, C.sub.1-6 alkyl group, phenyl group, or tolyl group; and R.sup.3 is independently C.sub.1-6 alkyl group, C.sub.5-8 cycloalkyl group, or C.sub.2-6 alkoxyalkyl group.