A compound having formula (I) ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl; R.sup.3 is C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl; R.sup.4 is C.sub.1-C.sub.18 alkyl or C.sub.4-C.sub.18 heteroalkyl; m is zero, one, two or three; n is one, two or three; and j, k, p, q, r and s independently are zero, one or two; provided that at least one of j, k, p, q, r and s is not zero.

A polyphenol derivative of the stilbenoid family, namely trans-3,5,4-trihydroxybibenzyl, also known as dihydro-resveratrol, is disclosed as a remedial agent. In particular, the usage of dihydro-resveratrol as an anti-fibrotic agent in suppressing the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) is presented. One embodiment also relates to the management of pancreatic fibrosis, which is often accompanied with chronic pancreatitis and desmoplastic reaction of pancreatic cancer. Another embodiment has applications in preventing or alleviating or treating pancreatic cancer or pancreatogenic diabetes.

A skin-protection composition is shown that comprises stilbenoid(s) and/or stilbenoid-containing extract(s) obtained from Dendrobium plants, such as Dendrobium officinale and Dendrobium nobile for the management of melanogenesis, skin-darkening and skin-aging. More particularly, the usage of Dendrobium ingredients and stilbenoids is shown to reduce the formation of melanin in melanocytes. The usage of Dendrobium ingredients and stilbenoids is also shown to reduce the generation of reactive oxygen species and oxidative free radicals. The use of Dendrobium-derived extracts or ingredients or stilbenoids is shown in the formulation of skin-protection, skin-whitening and/or anti-skin aging products.

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.

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.

The present invention relates to nordihydroguaiaretic acid derivative compounds, namely, butane bridge modified nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) compounds and butane bridge modified tetra-O-substituted NDGA compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, methods of making them, and methods of using them and kits including them for the treatment of diseases and disorders, in particular, diseases resulting from or associated with a virus infection, such as HIV infection, HPV infection, or HSV infection, an inflammatory disease, such as various types of arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases, metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, or a proliferative disease, such as diverse types of cancers.

The disclosure relates to the technical filed of organic synthesis, in particular to a method for preparing veratrole. In the disclosure, veratrole is prepared by using lithium hydroxide instead of sodium hydroxide, catechol as raw material, and dimethyl sulfate as methylating agent. Comparing with the existing method of adding sodium hydroxide solution, the method according to the disclosure allows reduced reaction temperature, shortened reaction time, and thereby improves the stability and safety of the reaction and the product yield. The experimental data of the examples in the disclosure shows a veratrole yield up to 95%. Furthermore, the preparation method according to the disclosure does not need to be carried out under a reflux condition, the operation of which is simpler, thereby further improving the safety and stability of the reaction.

A reagent that enhances acid generation of a photoacid generator and composition containing such a reagent is described.

Parts of compounds, after being labeled by radionuclide, of the phenyl benzyl ether derivative, are used as A plaque imaging agent. The structural formula of the phenyl benzyl ether derivative is shown by formula (I). The present invention develops a kind of brand new phenyl benzyl ether derivative which has high affinity with A plaques in brains of AD patients. The chemical structure of the phenyl benzyl ether derivative is different from that of compounds disclosed in the prior art and the phenyl benzyl ether derivative belongs to a brand new compound for diagnosing and treating AD. The obtained A plaque imaging agent has the advantages that the in-vivo stability is good, the fat solubility is low, the removal speed for the brain is fast, the problem of removing the radionuclide in vivo does not exist, and the application prospect and the market value are great.

##STR00001##

Monomers, polymers and copolymers are provided that incorporate at least one naturally occurring phenolic compound, such as a plant phenol.