Compounds of formula (I), wherein R.sub.1 is as defined in the claims, exhibit COMT enzyme inhibiting activity and are thus useful as COMT inhibitors. Methods of treatment and pharmaceutical dosage forms are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a Photo-caged MALDI Matrix Compound for use in a method of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, as well as to a sprayable liquid composition and a Photo-sensitive MALDI Matrix Composite, both comprising said Photo-caged MALDI Matrix Compound. Moreover, the present invention pertains to a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry method involving the Photo-sensitive MALDI Matrix Composite and the Photo-caged MALDI Matrix Compound. Under a further aspect, the present invention pertains to a method of identifying for a given type of analyte and predetermined vacuum conditions a suitable Photo-caged MALDI Matrix Compound.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for producing carboxylic acid thioester, comprising reacting a compound represented by the following formula (I), carboxylic acid and thiol in the presence of a catalyst including at least one Group 2 metal compound. The production method is a production method which is simple in reaction operation, which places a small load on the environment and the human body and which enables carboxylic acid thioester to be catalytically obtained at a high yield even at a normal temperature and a normal pressure (25 C., 1 atm). In the formula (I), R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. ##STR00001##

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for producing carboxylic acid thioester, comprising reacting a compound represented by the following formula (I), carboxylic acid and thiol in the presence of a catalyst including at least one Group 2 metal compound. The production method is a production method which is simple in reaction operation, which places a small load on the environment and the human body and which enables carboxylic acid thioester to be catalytically obtained at a high yield even at a normal temperature and a normal pressure (25 C., 1 atm). In the formula (I), R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. ##STR00001##

The present invention provides a compound, a composition, a cured object, an optically anisotropic body, and a reflective film which have high refractive index anisotropy n and excellent light resistance, and which exhibit liquid crystallinity. The compound of the present invention is a compound represented by General Formula (1).

##STR00001##

The present invention provides a compound, a composition, a cured object, an optically anisotropic body, and a reflective film which have high refractive index anisotropy n and excellent light resistance, and which exhibit liquid crystallinity. The compound of the present invention is a compound represented by General Formula (1).

##STR00001##

The present inventions refers a novel trifluoromethyl thianthrenium compound referred to as TT-CF.sub.3.sup.+X.sup.?, a process for preparing the same and the use thereof for trifluoromethylating organic compounds.

The present inventions refers a novel trifluoromethyl thianthrenium compound referred to as TT-CF.sub.3.sup.+X.sup.?, a process for preparing the same and the use thereof for trifluoromethylating organic compounds.

Compounds of formula (I), wherein R.sub.1 is as defined in the claims, exhibit COMT enzyme inhibiting activity and are thus useful as COMT inhibitors. Methods of treatment and pharmaceutical dosage forms are also disclosed.

Compounds of formula (I), wherein R.sub.1 is as defined in the claims, exhibit COMT enzyme inhibiting activity and are thus useful as COMT inhibitors. Methods of treatment and pharmaceutical dosage forms are also disclosed.