Provided herein are compounds of formula (I) and compositions containing the compounds. The compounds and compositions are useful in the methods of treating, amelioration or prophylaxix of diseases associated with Nrf2/NF-.sub.κB pathways. The diseases associated include, but are not limited to a fibrotic disease such as lung fibrosis, liver fibrosis, kidney fibrosis, and scleroderma, or a neurodegenerative disease, such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and Alzheimer's disease, and sickle cell disease.

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Provided is a method for purifying waste N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, the method comprising the steps of: reacting the waste N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone containing an amine compound with an acid anhydride; converting the amine compound into an amide compound; and removing the amide compound by distillation, thereby manufacturing high-purity N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone that can be reused.

Provided is a method for purifying waste N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, the method comprising the steps of: reacting the waste N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone containing an amine compound with an acid anhydride; converting the amine compound into an amide compound; and removing the amide compound by distillation, thereby manufacturing high-purity N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone that can be reused.

A regioselective N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) catalyzed one step process for high yield synthesis of α-acyloxy carbonyl compounds is disclosed. ##STR00001##

A regioselective N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) catalyzed one step process for high yield synthesis of α-acyloxy carbonyl compounds is disclosed. ##STR00001##

The present invention provides novel solutions to the problem of recycling carbonylation catalysts in epoxide carbonylation processes. The inventive methods are characterized in that the catalyst is recovered in a form other than as active catalyst. In some embodiments, catalyst components are removed selectively from the carbonylation product stream in two or more processing steps. One or more of these separated catalyst components are then utilized to regenerate active catalyst which is utilized during another time interval to feed a continuous carbonylation reactor.

The present invention provides novel solutions to the problem of recycling carbonylation catalysts in epoxide carbonylation processes. The inventive methods are characterized in that the catalyst is recovered in a form other than as active catalyst. In some embodiments, catalyst components are removed selectively from the carbonylation product stream in two or more processing steps. One or more of these separated catalyst components are then utilized to regenerate active catalyst which is utilized during another time interval to feed a continuous carbonylation reactor.

The present technology is related to imide containing quaternary ammonium salts having a hydrocarbyl substituent of number average molecular weight less 300, and additive packages having such quaternary ammonium salts and improved stability.

The present technology is related to imide containing quaternary ammonium salts having a hydrocarbyl substituent of number average molecular weight less 300, and additive packages having such quaternary ammonium salts and improved stability.

A method of production of malic acid includes treating a first intermediate product to form a second intermediate product. The treating includes substantially removing impurities from the first intermediate product to obtain a treated intermediate product by gas stripping the crude maleic anhydride, or subjecting a mixture of one or more of the crude maleic acid, the crude fumaric acid, and the vent gas scrubber solution obtained from a phthalic anhydride production process or a maleic anhydride production process to crystallization, passing an aqueous solution of the treated intermediate product through a carbon column to substantially remove retained impurities to form the second intermediate product, obtaining a feed that includes the second intermediate product, and causing the feed to undergo hydration reaction in a tubular reactor or a continuous stirred tank reactor to produce malic acid.