The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolytic solution capable of improving electrochemical characteristics in the case of using an energy storage device at a high temperature and at a high voltage and further capable of inhibiting the gas generation while maintaining a capacity retention rate after storage at a high temperature and at a high voltage and also provides an energy storage device using the same. Disclosed is a nonaqueous electrolytic solution having an electrolyte salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent, the nonaqueous electrolytic solution containing a carboxylic acid ester compound represented by the following general formula (I). ##STR00001## In the formula, each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a —C(═O)—OR.sup.4 group, or the like, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be bonded to each other to form a ring structure. R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or the like, and n represents an integer of 1 to 3. When n is 1, then L and R.sup.4 represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or the like; and when n is 2 or 3, then L represents an n-valent connecting group, X represents a —C(═O)— group, an —S(═O)— group, an —S(═O).sub.2— group, an —S(═O).sub.2—R.sup.5—S(═O).sub.2— group or a CR.sup.6R.sup.7 group, R.sup.5 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and each of R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolytic solution capable of improving electrochemical characteristics in the case of using an energy storage device at a high temperature and at a high voltage and further capable of inhibiting the gas generation while maintaining a capacity retention rate after storage at a high temperature and at a high voltage and also provides an energy storage device using the same. Disclosed is a nonaqueous electrolytic solution having an electrolyte salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent, the nonaqueous electrolytic solution containing a carboxylic acid ester compound represented by the following general formula (I). ##STR00001## In the formula, each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a —C(═O)—OR.sup.4 group, or the like, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be bonded to each other to form a ring structure. R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or the like, and n represents an integer of 1 to 3. When n is 1, then L and R.sup.4 represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or the like; and when n is 2 or 3, then L represents an n-valent connecting group, X represents a —C(═O)— group, an —S(═O)— group, an —S(═O).sub.2— group, an —S(═O).sub.2—R.sup.5—S(═O).sub.2— group or a CR.sup.6R.sup.7 group, R.sup.5 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and each of R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

Monomers and polymers are provided that comprise a carbon alicyclic group or heteroalicyclic group that comprises 1) one or more acid-labile ring substituents and 2) one or more ether or thioether ring substituents. Photoresists that comprise such polymers also are provided.

Monomers and polymers are provided that comprise a carbon alicyclic group or heteroalicyclic group that comprises 1) one or more acid-labile ring substituents and 2) one or more ether or thioether ring substituents. Photoresists that comprise such polymers also are provided.

A purpose of the present invention is to provide a lithium ion secondary battery which has further improved life characteristics. The lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention is characterized by comprising a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode active material that operates at 4.5 V or more with respect to lithium, and an electrolyte solution comprising an electrolyte solvent comprising a fluorinated ether, a cyclic sulfonic acid ester and LiN(FSO.sub.2).sub.2.

A purpose of the present invention is to provide a lithium ion secondary battery which has further improved life characteristics. The lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention is characterized by comprising a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode active material that operates at 4.5 V or more with respect to lithium, and an electrolyte solution comprising an electrolyte solvent comprising a fluorinated ether, a cyclic sulfonic acid ester and LiN(FSO.sub.2).sub.2.

Provided is an industrially advantageous method for producing a methylene disulfonate compound easily and inexpensively using fewer raw materials. The method for producing a methylene disulfonate compound of the present invention comprises step A of reacting at least one alkanesulfonic acid compound and sulfur trioxide in the presence of at least one member selected from the group consisting of a sulfoxide compound and a sulfone compound to thereby obtain reactant A comprising an alkanedisulfonic acid compound, and step B of reacting reactant A obtained in step A and a formaldehyde compound in the presence of sulfur trioxide to thereby obtain a methylene disulfonate compound.

Provided is an industrially advantageous method for producing a methylene disulfonate compound easily and inexpensively using fewer raw materials. The method for producing a methylene disulfonate compound of the present invention comprises step A of reacting at least one alkanesulfonic acid compound and sulfur trioxide in the presence of at least one member selected from the group consisting of a sulfoxide compound and a sulfone compound to thereby obtain reactant A comprising an alkanedisulfonic acid compound, and step B of reacting reactant A obtained in step A and a formaldehyde compound in the presence of sulfur trioxide to thereby obtain a methylene disulfonate compound.

Surface hydroxyl groups on porous and nonporous metal oxides, such as silica gel and alumina, were metalated with catalyst precursors, such as complexes of earth abundant metals (e.g., Fe, Co, Cr, Ni, Cu, Mn and Mg). The metalated metal oxide catalysts provide a versatile family of recyclable and reusable single-site solid catalysts for catalyzing a variety of organic transformations. The catalysts can also be integrated into a flow reactor or a supercritical fluid reactor.

Among other things the invention provides novel flame-retardant compounds useful for increasing the flame retardance of polymers.