The present invention relates to a method of extracting at least one selected from carbonic acid, aliphatic acid, aliphatic acid ester and aliphatic alcohol from an aqueous medium, the method comprising the steps: (a) contacting the carbonic acid, aliphatic acid, aliphatic acid ester and/or aliphatic alcohol in the aqueous medium with an extracting medium containing at least one alkyl-phosphine oxide for a time sufficient to extract the carbonic acid, aliphatic acid, aliphatic acid ester and/or aliphatic alcohol from the aqueous medium into the extracting medium, and (b) separating the extracting medium with the extracted carbonic acid, aliphatic acid, aliphatic acid ester and/or aliphatic alcohol from the aqueous medium, characterized in, that the at least one alkyl-phosphine oxide contains at least two different alkyl radicals per alkyl-phosphine oxide molecule and the aqueous medium in (a) contains a microorganism, preferably a living microorganism, producing the carbonic acid, aliphatic acid, aliphatic acid ester and/or aliphatic alcohol.

The present invention relates to a method of extracting an aliphatic alcohol, preferably containing 5 to 16 carbon atoms, from an aqueous medium, the method comprising: (a) contacting the aliphatic alcohol in the aqueous medium with at least one extracting medium for a time sufficient to extract the aliphatic alcohol from the aqueous medium into the extracting medium, (b) separating the extracting medium with the extracted aliphatic alcohol from the aqueous medium wherein the extracting medium comprises: at least one trialkyl-phosphine-oxide, preferably trioctyl-phosphine-oxide, and optionally at least one alkane, and wherein the aliphatic alcohol is produced from a carbon source by contacting the carbon source with at least one microorganism capable of converting the carbon source to the aliphatic alcohol.

An electrolyte includes a compound represented by formula I-A, where A.sup.1, A.sup.2, and A.sup.3 are each independently selected from formula I-B or formula I-C, and at least two of A.sup.1, A.sup.2, and A.sup.3 are formula I-C. In formula I-A, n is selected from integers 1 to 10, and m is selected from 0 or 1. In formula I-B and formula I-C, represents a site at which two adjacent atoms are joined. The electrolyte can significantly improve high-temperature storage performance, cycle performance, and floating charge performance of the electrochemical device.

##STR00001##

Disclosed is a method for linkage recovery of an organic acid in an aqueous organic acid solution. The method comprises: mixing a solution with an organic acid concentration lower than 20 wt % with a specific extractant and then subjecting same to counter-current extraction so as to obtain an extract phase and a raffinate phase; and subjecting the extract phase together with a solution with an acid concentration higher than 70 wt % to an azeotropic rectification so as to recover an organic acid. When the concentration of the aqueous organic acid solution is 20 wt %-70 wt %, the aqueous organic acid solution is extracted and concentrated to make the concentration of the aqueous organic acid solution higher than 70 wt %. The method is simple, and has a low energy consumption and a good recovery effect with respect to the single recovery of a low concentration aqueous organic acid solution; and the method does not need to newly add an azeotrope agent and saves on costs with respect to the single recovery of a high concentration aqueous organic acid solution. In such a cooperating manner, a reagent during recovery can be fully utilized, energy consumption is reduced, and a process is simplified.

Compounds useful as fluorescent or colored dyes are disclosed. The compounds have the following structure (I), or a stereoisomer, tautomer or salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3, L.sup.4, M.sup.1, M.sup.2, m and n are as defined herein. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds is also provided.

An acetylacetone derivative is useful for capturing a metal element by complexation. A convenient and very versatile synthesis method can be used to synthesize the derivative. The derivative can have the following formula: ##STR00001##

A lipid compound or a derivative thereof and a pharmaceutical composition employing the same are provided. The lipid compound has a structure represented by Formula (I):

##STR00001## wherein Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2, Z.sup.3 and Z.sup.4 are as disclosed in the specification.

An acetylacetone derivative is useful for capturing a metal element by complexation. A convenient and very versatile synthesis method can be used to synthesize the derivative. The derivative can have the following General Formula:

##STR00001##

The present discovery pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds. More specifically the present discovery pertains to certain di-isopropyl-phosphinoyl-alkanes as described herein, DIPA-1-5, DIPA-1-6, DIPA-1-7, DIPA-1-8, and DIPA-1-9, collectively referred to herein as DIPA compounds, that are useful, for example, in the treatment of disorders (e.g., diseases) including: sensory discomfort (e.g., caused by irritation, itch, or pain); a skin dysesthesia; dermatitis; ocular pain and discomfort; heat discomfort; heat stress; flushing and/or night sweats (vasomotor symptoms); post-operative hypothermia; post-anaesthetic shivering; fatigue; tiredness; depression; cognitive dysfunction; and to enhance cognitive function. The applicant has found that localized delivery of DIPA compounds to the upper eyelid and/or facial skin has an alerting and enhancement effect on behavior and can be used to give a cosmetic refreshing look, to mental alertness, to reduce fatigue, and to improve work output. The present discovery also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, for example, in therapy, in diagnosis of neuropathic pain, and in study of TRPM8 function.

The invention relates to compounds which correspond to the general formula (I) below: ##STR00001## in which: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent, independently of one another, a C.sub.4 to C.sub.12 acyclic hydrocarbon group; R.sup.3 represents H; a C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 acyclic hydrocarbon group with optionally one or more heteroatoms; a C.sub.5 or C.sub.6 cyclic hydrocarbon group; or a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic group; R.sup.4 represents H or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 acyclic hydrocarbon group with optionally one or more heteroatoms; R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 represent, independently of one another, H; a C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 acyclic hydrocarbon group with optionally one or more heteroatoms; a C.sub.5 or C.sub.6 cyclic hydrocarbon group; or a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic group; on the condition however that R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 do not each represent H. The invention also relates to the uses of these compounds as uranium(VI) ligands, in particular for extracting uranium(VI) from an aqueous solution of sulphuric acid, and also to a method that makes it possible to recover the uranium(VI) present in an aqueous solution of sulphuric acid resulting from the attack of a uranium ore by sulphuric acid and using said the compounds.