The present invention relates to a novel process for the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene. The syntheses from fluorene to 9,9-bis(hydroxy-methyl)fluorene via a hydroxymethylation and further to 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-fluorene via a etherification are known. 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene is a compound that is used as an electron donor for Ziegler-Natta catalysts. The present invention is related to an improvement in the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene leading to a decrease in the amount of solvent used and an easier work up while achieving high yield and purity.

The present invention relates to a novel process for the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene. The syntheses from fluorene to 9,9-bis(hydroxy-methyl)fluorene via a hydroxymethylation and further to 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-fluorene via a etherification are known. 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene is a compound that is used as an electron donor for Ziegler-Natta catalysts. The present invention is related to an improvement in the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene leading to a decrease in the amount of solvent used and an easier work up while achieving high yield and purity.

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to new low cost initiator compositions for use with the production of well-defined telechelic PIBs (by LC.sup.+P of isobutylene). In various other embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods for using these novel compositions as initiators for isobutylene (IB) and other cationically polymerizable monomers, such as styrene and its derivatives. In still other embodiments, the present invention is directed to structurally new, allyl (and chlorine) telechelic PIBs formed from these new initiator compositions and their derivatives (in particular, hydroxyl telechelic PIB and amine telechelic PIB). In yet other embodiments, the present invention is directed to structurally new polyurethanes, polyureas, and polyurethane ureas made using telechelic PIBs formed from these new initiator compositions.

A compound of Formula I, wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are independently hydrogen, halogen, an unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cydoalkyi, cydoalkylalkyi, aryl, phenyl, or naphthyl group, and a substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cydoalkyi, cydoalkylalkyi, aryl, phenyl, or naphthyl group having as a substituent a halogen, alkoxy, substituted phenoxy, unsubstituted phenoxy group or a heteroatom such as oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus and boron.

##STR00001##

A compound of Formula I, wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are independently hydrogen, halogen, an unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cydoalkyi, cydoalkylalkyi, aryl, phenyl, or naphthyl group, and a substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cydoalkyi, cydoalkylalkyi, aryl, phenyl, or naphthyl group having as a substituent a halogen, alkoxy, substituted phenoxy, unsubstituted phenoxy group or a heteroatom such as oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus and boron.

##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a novel process for the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene. The syntheses from fluorene to 9,9-bis(hydroxy-methyl)fluorene via a hydroxymethylation and further to 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-fluorene via a etherification are known. 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene is a compound that is used as an electron donor for Ziegler-Natta catalysts. The present invention is related to an improvement in the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene leading to a decrease in the amount of solvent used and an easier work up while achieving high yield and purity.

The present invention relates to a novel process for the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene. The syntheses from fluorene to 9,9-bis(hydroxy-methyl)fluorene via a hydroxymethylation and further to 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-fluorene via a etherification are known. 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene is a compound that is used as an electron donor for Ziegler-Natta catalysts. The present invention is related to an improvement in the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene leading to a decrease in the amount of solvent used and an easier work up while achieving high yield and purity.

Provided herein are compounds useful for the preparation of compounds that have retinoid-like biological activity. Also provided herein are processes for the preparation of compounds that have retinoid-like biological activity.

Provided herein are compounds useful for the preparation of compounds that have retinoid-like biological activity. Also provided herein are processes for the preparation of compounds that have retinoid-like biological activity.

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to new low cost initiator compositions for use with the production of well-defined telechelic PIBs (by LC.sup.+P of isobutylene). In various other embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods for using these novel compositions as initiators for isobutylene (IB) and other cationically polymerizable monomers, such as styrene and its derivatives. In still other embodiments, the present invention is directed to structurally new, allyl (and chlorine) telechelic PIBs formed from these new initiator compositions and their derivatives (in particular, hydroxyl telechelic PIB and amine telechelic PIB). In yet other embodiments, the present invention is directed to structurally new polyurethanes, polyureas, and polyurethane ureas made using telechelic PIBs formed from these new initiator compositions.