Provided herein are various oxa acids having respective molecular weights and hydrophile-lipophile balances both different from each other. A compound having a structure represented by the following formula (1) ##STR00001##

Provided herein are various oxa acids having respective molecular weights and hydrophile-lipophile balances both different from each other. A compound having a structure represented by the following formula (1) ##STR00001##

A method of increasing a density of carboxylic acids on a surface of a carbon nanoparticle is disclosed. The method includes contacting an oxygen-containing functional group on a surface of a carbon nanoparticle with a reducing agent to provide a hydroxyl group; reacting the hydroxyl group with a diazoacetate ester in the presence of a transition metal catalyst to provide an ester, the diazoacetate ester having the structure wherein R is a C1-8 hydrocarbyl, preferably tert-butyl, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, allyl, benzyl, pentafluorophenyl, or N-succinimidyl; and cleaving the ester to provide a carboxylic acid group. Surface-functionalized carbon nanoparticles made by the method are also disclosed.

A method of increasing a density of carboxylic acids on a surface of a carbon nanoparticle is disclosed. The method includes contacting an oxygen-containing functional group on a surface of a carbon nanoparticle with a reducing agent to provide a hydroxyl group; reacting the hydroxyl group with a diazoacetate ester in the presence of a transition metal catalyst to provide an ester, the diazoacetate ester having the structure wherein R is a C1-8 hydrocarbyl, preferably tert-butyl, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, allyl, benzyl, pentafluorophenyl, or N-succinimidyl; and cleaving the ester to provide a carboxylic acid group. Surface-functionalized carbon nanoparticles made by the method are also disclosed.

The present invention is directed to surfactants with small hydrophobes, which are of non-conventional hydrophobe size. The surfactants of the present invention utilize a small hydrophobic moiety with a polvalkoxylate chain comprising PO, BO and/or EO groups, with optional ionic groups, such as anionic, cationic and zwitterionic, to achieve the desired hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB). The present invention is further directed to formulations comprising the surfactants of the invention, and methods of using the surfactants of the invention, including in enhanced oil recovery applications.

The present invention is directed to surfactants with small hydrophobes, which are of non-conventional hydrophobe size. The surfactants of the present invention utilize a small hydrophobic moiety with a polvalkoxylate chain comprising PO, BO and/or EO groups, with optional ionic groups, such as anionic, cationic and zwitterionic, to achieve the desired hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB). The present invention is further directed to formulations comprising the surfactants of the invention, and methods of using the surfactants of the invention, including in enhanced oil recovery applications.

The present disclosure discloses a novel compound, 3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl 3-hydroxybutanoate, a method for preparing the same and use of the same, and in particular, a compound of formula I, use of the compound of formula I, optically pure isomers of the compound, a mixture of enantiomers in any ratio, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in preparing health food and drug for relieving brain fatigue, improving learning and memory abilities, and ameliorating mania mood related to brain fatigue.

##STR00001##

The present disclosure discloses a novel compound, 3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl 3-hydroxybutanoate, a method for preparing the same and use of the same, and in particular, a compound of formula I, use of the compound of formula I, optically pure isomers of the compound, a mixture of enantiomers in any ratio, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in preparing health food and drug for relieving brain fatigue, improving learning and memory abilities, and ameliorating mania mood related to brain fatigue.

##STR00001##

An electronic switching element is described having, in sequence, a first electrode, a molecular layer bonded to a substrate, and a second electrode. The molecular layer contains compounds of formula I, R.sup.1-(A.sup.1-Z.sup.1).sub.rB.sup.1(Z.sup.2-A.sup.2).sub.s-Sp-G, wherein A.sup.1, A.sup.2, B.sup.1, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2, Sp, G, r, and s are as defined herein, in which a mesogenic radical is bonded to the substrate via a spacer group, Sp, by means of an anchor group, G. The switching element is suitable for production of components that can operate as a memristive device for digital information storage.

An electronic switching element is described having, in sequence, a first electrode, a molecular layer bonded to a substrate, and a second electrode. The molecular layer contains compounds of formula I, R.sup.1-(A.sup.1-Z.sup.1).sub.rB.sup.1(Z.sup.2-A.sup.2).sub.s-Sp-G, wherein A.sup.1, A.sup.2, B.sup.1, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2, Sp, G, r, and s are as defined herein, in which a mesogenic radical is bonded to the substrate via a spacer group, Sp, by means of an anchor group, G. The switching element is suitable for production of components that can operate as a memristive device for digital information storage.