Methods are provided for the synthesis of olivetol, olivetol analogs, cannabidiol (CBD), CBD analogs, and other cannabinoids; one method employs phloroglucinol or a phloroglucinol analog as a starting material. The syntheses are stereospecific, efficient, selective, and cost-effective, with little or no potential for generation of THC ((?)-trans-?.sup.9-tetrahydro-cannabinol) or any other psychoactive side product. Telescoped syntheses are also provided, as are new cannabinoids, pharmaceutical formulations, and methods of use.

Methods are provided for the synthesis of olivetol, olivetol analogs, cannabidiol (CBD), CBD analogs, and other cannabinoids; one method employs phloroglucinol or a phloroglucinol analog as a starting material. The syntheses are stereospecific, efficient, selective, and cost-effective, with little or no potential for generation of THC ((?)-trans-?.sup.9-tetrahydro-cannabinol) or any other psychoactive side product. Telescoped syntheses are also provided, as are new cannabinoids, pharmaceutical formulations, and methods of use.

Flow batteries incorporating an active material with one or more catecholate ligands can have a number of desirable operating features. Commercial syntheses of catechol produce significant quantities of hydroquinone as a byproduct, which presently has limited value in the battery industry and can represent a significant waste disposal issue at industrial production scales. Using a concerted, high-yield process, low-value hydroquinone can be transformed into high-value 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene, which can be a desirable ligand for active materials of relevance in the flow battery industry. Methods for forming 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene can include: oxidizing hydroquinone in a first reaction to form p-benzoquinone, converting the p-benzoquinone in a second reaction to form 1,2,4-triacetoxybenzene, deacetylating the 1,2,4-triacetoxybenzene in a third reaction to form 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene, and isolating the 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene after performing the first reaction, the second reaction and the third reaction consecutively.

Flow batteries incorporating an active material with one or more catecholate ligands can have a number of desirable operating features. Commercial syntheses of catechol produce significant quantities of hydroquinone as a byproduct, which presently has limited value in the battery industry and can represent a significant waste disposal issue at industrial production scales. Using a concerted, high-yield process, low-value hydroquinone can be transformed into high-value 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene, which can be a desirable ligand for active materials of relevance in the flow battery industry. Methods for forming 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene can include: oxidizing hydroquinone in a first reaction to form p-benzoquinone, converting the p-benzoquinone in a second reaction to form 1,2,4-triacetoxybenzene, deacetylating the 1,2,4-triacetoxybenzene in a third reaction to form 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene, and isolating the 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene after performing the first reaction, the second reaction and the third reaction consecutively.

Disclosed herein are improved methods for the synthesis of honokiol, as well as methods for the synthesis of 3,3-di-tert-butyl-5,5-dimethyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-2,4-diol, 3,5-dimethyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-2,4-diol, and 2,4-dimethoxy-3,5-dimethyl-1,1-biphenyl, 3,3,5,5-tetra-tert-butyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-2,4-diol, and certain tetrasubstituted bisphenols, and uses therefor.

Disclosed herein are improved methods for the synthesis of honokiol, as well as methods for the synthesis of 3,3-di-tert-butyl-5,5-dimethyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-2,4-diol, 3,5-dimethyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-2,4-diol, and 2,4-dimethoxy-3,5-dimethyl-1,1-biphenyl, 3,3,5,5-tetra-tert-butyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-2,4-diol, and certain tetrasubstituted bisphenols, and uses therefor.

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal compound having a structure as shown by formula I, wherein R is selected from H and alkyl or alkoxy containing 1-12 carbon atoms in which one or more H are unsubstituted or substituted with halogens; A.sub.1, A.sub.2 and A.sub.3 are each independently selected from: a single bond, 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene, wherein hydrogen in 1,4-phenylene may be each independently substituted with one or more halogens; and Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 are each independently selected from a single bond or (CH.sub.2).sub.2. The compound of the invention has the characteristics of low rotational viscosity, large dielectric anisotropy, good mutual solubility and stability. The driving voltage of a device can be remarkably reduced after the compound is added to a composition. Thus, the compound of the invention has prosperous applications in LCD industry.

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Flow batteries incorporating an active material with one or more catecholate ligands can have a number of desirable operating features. Commercial syntheses of catechol produce significant quantities of hydroquinone as a byproduct, which presently has limited value in the battery industry and can represent a significant waste disposal issue at industrial production scales. Using a concerted, high-yield process, low-value hydroquinone can be transformed into high-value 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene, which can be a desirable ligand for active materials of relevance in the flow battery industry. Methods for forming 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene can include: oxidizing hydroquinone in a first reaction to form p-benzoquinone, converting the p-benzoquinone in a second reaction to form 1,2,4-triacetoxybenzene, deacetylating the 1,2,4-triacetoxybenzene in a third reaction to form 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene, and isolating the 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene after performing the first reaction, the second reaction and the third reaction consecutively.

Flow batteries incorporating an active material with one or more catecholate ligands can have a number of desirable operating features. Commercial syntheses of catechol produce significant quantities of hydroquinone as a byproduct, which presently has limited value in the battery industry and can represent a significant waste disposal issue at industrial production scales. Using a concerted, high-yield process, low-value hydroquinone can be transformed into high-value 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene, which can be a desirable ligand for active materials of relevance in the flow battery industry. Methods for forming 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene can include: oxidizing hydroquinone in a first reaction to form p-benzoquinone, converting the p-benzoquinone in a second reaction to form 1,2,4-triacetoxybenzene, deacetylating the 1,2,4-triacetoxybenzene in a third reaction to form 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene, and isolating the 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene after performing the first reaction, the second reaction and the third reaction consecutively.

Methods are provided for the synthesis of cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabidibutol (CBD-C4), dihydrocannabidiol (DCBD), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), analogs thereof, and precursors to the foregoing. One method employs phloroglucinol or a phloroglucinol analog as a starting material. The syntheses are stereospecific, efficient, selective, and cost-effective, with little or no potential for generation of THC (()-trans-.sup.9-tetrahydro-cannabinol) or any other psychoactive side product. Telescoped syntheses are also provided, as are new cannabinoids, pharmaceutical formulations, and methods of use.