Various embodiments of this invention are directed to pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating disease. The compositions of such embodiments include dicarboxylic acid compounds containing electron withdrawing groups, alkyl esters of dicarboxylic acids containing electron withdrawing groups, or compounds of Formulae I to X. The methods of various embodiments include administering an effective amount of any of these pharmaceutical compositions to a patient in need of treatment.

A compound which is a thienolate of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: (I) wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.3, Ring A1, n and Ring A2 are as defined herein, are found to be useful in inhibiting metallo-beta-lactamase and therefore in potentiating the activity of beta lactamase antibiotics. The compound can be used alone or in combination with a rhodanine of formula (II) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: (II) wherein R.sup.3, Ring A1, n, Ring A2, L and Ring B are as defined herein. Treatment or prevention of bacterial infection in combination with beta-lactam antibiotic agents is also provided.

##STR00001##

A compound which is a thienolate of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: (I) wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.3, Ring A1, n and Ring A2 are as defined herein, are found to be useful in inhibiting metallo-beta-lactamase and therefore in potentiating the activity of beta lactamase antibiotics. The compound can be used alone or in combination with a rhodanine of formula (II) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: (II) wherein R.sup.3, Ring A1, n, Ring A2, L and Ring B are as defined herein. Treatment or prevention of bacterial infection in combination with beta-lactam antibiotic agents is also provided.

##STR00001##

A method for producing a thiol compound including a light emission process in which light is emitted to a colored thiol compound or a composition containing the thiol compound. In the light emission process, it is preferable to emit light including light with a wavelength of 250 nm to 600 nm to the composition.

A method for producing a thiol compound including a light emission process in which light is emitted to a colored thiol compound or a composition containing the thiol compound. In the light emission process, it is preferable to emit light including light with a wavelength of 250 nm to 600 nm to the composition.

Formulations comprising hydroxy methionine analog and having low levels of sulfate ions and bisulfate salts, processes for preparing the formulations, compositions comprising the formulations, and methods of using the formulations.

Formulations comprising hydroxy methionine analog and having low levels of sulfate ions and bisulfate salts, processes for preparing the formulations, compositions comprising the formulations, and methods of using the formulations.

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.

The invention concerns a synthesis process of a compound of the following formula (I) or one of the salts thereof,

##STR00001## wherein R represents a COOH, CH.sub.2OH or CHO group, comprising the step according to which the but-3-ene-1,2-diol (BDO) is subjected to an oxidation in the presence of a catalyst, said catalyst comprising an active phase based on at least one noble metal selected from palladium, gold, silver, platinum, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium and iridium, and a support containing alkaline sites.

The invention also concerns the application of this reaction to the preparation of bioavailable compounds of methionine used, in particular, in animal nutrition.