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.

Methods of modifying the rate of systemic absorption of a drug administered to a subject by a pulmonary route, the method comprising covalently conjugating a hydrophilic polymer to a drug, wherein the drug has a half-life of elimination from the lung of less than about 180 minutes, to form a drug-polymer conjugate, wherein the drug-polymer conjugate has a net hydrophilic character and a weight average molecular weight of from about 50 to about 20,000 Daltons, and wherein the half-life of elimination from the lung of the drug-polymer conjugate is at least about 1.5-fold greater than the half-life of elimination from the lung of the drug, wherein the half-life of elimination from the lung is measured by bronchoalveolar lavage followed by assaying residual lung material.

Device and methods for use in a biosensor comprising a multisite array of test sites, the device and methods being useful for modulating the binding interactions between a (biomolecular) probe or detection agent and an analyte of interest by modulating the pH or ionic gradient near the electrodes in such biosensor. An electrochemically active agent that is suitable for use in biological buffers for changing the pH of the biological buffers. Method for changing the pH of biological buffers using the electrochemically active agents. The methods of modulating the binding interactions provided in a biosensor, analytic methods for more accurately controlling and measuring the pH or ionic gradient near the electrodes in such biosensor, and analytic methods for more accurately measuring an analyte of interest in a biological sample.

Device and methods for use in a biosensor comprising a multisite array of test sites, the device and methods being useful for modulating the binding interactions between a (biomolecular) probe or detection agent and an analyte of interest by modulating the pH or ionic gradient near the electrodes in such biosensor. An electrochemically active agent that is suitable for use in biological buffers for changing the pH of the biological buffers. Method for changing the pH of biological buffers using the electrochemically active agents. The methods of modulating the binding interactions provided in a biosensor, analytic methods for more accurately controlling and measuring the pH or ionic gradient near the electrodes in such biosensor, and analytic methods for more accurately measuring an analyte of interest in a biological sample.