The invention relates to a liquid crystal compound having the structure of formula I wherein R is selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl or alkoxy groups of 1 to 12 carbon atoms in which one or more H are unsubstituted or substituted with halogen; A.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of a single bond or a 1,4-phenylene group in which each H in the 1,4-phenylene group is independently substituted by one or more halogen atoms; L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 are each independently selected from H or halogen; Z.sub.1 is a single bond or —(CH.sub.2).sub.2—. The compound has advantages of low rotational viscosity, large dielectric anisotropy, good mutual solubility and stability, which can be added to LC composition to reduce the driving voltage of the display. Thus, the novel compound has prosperous applications in LCD industry.

##STR00001##

The invention relates to a liquid crystal compound having the structure of formula I wherein R is selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl or alkoxy groups of 1 to 12 carbon atoms in which one or more H are unsubstituted or substituted with halogen; A.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of a single bond or a 1,4-phenylene group in which each H in the 1,4-phenylene group is independently substituted by one or more halogen atoms; L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 are each independently selected from H or halogen; Z.sub.1 is a single bond or —(CH.sub.2).sub.2—. The compound has advantages of low rotational viscosity, large dielectric anisotropy, good mutual solubility and stability, which can be added to LC composition to reduce the driving voltage of the display. Thus, the novel compound has prosperous applications in LCD industry.

##STR00001##

Provided herein is 5-(2-(1-ethoxyethoxy)propan-2-yl)-2-methyl-2-vinyl-tetrahydrofuran and its use as a flavor and aroma modifier in foods and beverages.

An improved process for acid-catalyzed acylation using water-tolerant Lewis acid catalysts is described. The method involves reacting a reduction products of 5-(hydroxylmethyl)-furfural (HMF), in particular either furan-2,5-dimethanol (FDM) or bis-2,5-(hydroxymethyl)-tetrahydrofuran (bHMTHFs), with an excess of an organic acid in the presence of a Lewis acid metal triflate at a temperature and time sufficient to produce esters. The conversions of the reduction products of HMF to corresponding diesters can be quantitative with certain favored Lewis acids catalysts.

An improved process for acid-catalyzed acylation using water-tolerant Lewis acid catalysts is described. The method involves reacting a reduction products of 5-(hydroxylmethyl)-furfural (HMF), in particular either furan-2,5-dimethanol (FDM) or bis-2,5-(hydroxymethyl)-tetrahydrofuran (bHMTHFs), with an excess of an organic acid in the presence of a Lewis acid metal triflate at a temperature and time sufficient to produce esters. The conversions of the reduction products of HMF to corresponding diesters can be quantitative with certain favored Lewis acids catalysts.

The present invention relates to novel mono- and diesters of 2,5-di(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran, processes for their preparation by esterification in the presence of tertiary amines or in the presence of enzymatic esterification catalysts and the use of these mono- and diesters as interface-active compounds, rheology modifiers and emollients. The invention further relates to cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, and to detergents, cleaners and dishwashing compositions which comprise these mono- and diesters of 2,5-di(hydroxymethyl)-tetrahydrofuran.

Partially fluorinated ketones are provided that include a terminal alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms bonded to a carbonyl group and a hydrofluoroether moiety having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms that contains at least one hydrogen substituent. The hydrofluoroether moiety is bonded to the carbonyl group with a carbon-carbon bond. The ether oxygen is bonded to a carbon atom that is at least two carbon atoms removed from the carbonyl group. Additionally, a fluorinated alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms is bonded to the ether oxygen of the hydrofluoroether moiety. These partially fluorinated ketones can be used in a wide variety of electronics applications.

Partially fluorinated ketones are provided that include a terminal alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms bonded to a carbonyl group and a hydrofluoroether moiety having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms that contains at least one hydrogen substituent. The hydrofluoroether moiety is bonded to the carbonyl group with a carbon-carbon bond. The ether oxygen is bonded to a carbon atom that is at least two carbon atoms removed from the carbonyl group. Additionally, a fluorinated alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms is bonded to the ether oxygen of the hydrofluoroether moiety. These partially fluorinated ketones can be used in a wide variety of electronics applications.

The present invention refers to a composition comprising tetrahydrofurfuryl and alkoxylated alkyl esters and their use as plasticizers in biodegradable resins, more in particular, in a biodegradable aliphatic polyester resin comprising polylactic acid. In a preferred embodiment the composition comprises a tetrahydrofurfuryl butyldiglycolate ester. The invention also refers to a biodegradable resin composition, more in particular, comprising homo- or co-polymers of polylactic acid and comprising such compositions.

The present invention refers to a composition comprising tetrahydrofurfuryl and alkoxylated alkyl esters and their use as plasticizers in biodegradable resins, more in particular, in a biodegradable aliphatic polyester resin comprising polylactic acid. In a preferred embodiment the composition comprises a tetrahydrofurfuryl butyldiglycolate ester. The invention also refers to a biodegradable resin composition, more in particular, comprising homo- or co-polymers of polylactic acid and comprising such compositions.