Disclosed are a method for preparing 2-(cyclohexenylidene) malonic acid derivatives and uses thereof. In this method, an olefin and a 2-substituted malonic acid derivative are used as starting materials to prepare the 2-(cyclohexenylidene) malonic acid derivative in the presence of a catalyst through cyclization reaction. This method has the following advantages: (1) the method can be very efficiently used for the synthesis of highly sterically-hindered 2-(2,6-disubstituted cyclohexenylidene) malonic acid derivatives; (2) the reaction yield is high, the reaction conditions are mild, and the wastes are less, favorable for industrial production. More importantly, the present invention extends the further use of 2-(cyclohexenylidene)malonic acid derivatives in organic synthesis, especially in the synthesis of 2-aryl malonic acid derivatives and their corresponding drugs such as Pinoxaden.

A method of reducing an aromatic ring or a cyclic, allylic ether in a compound includes preparing a reaction mixture including a compound including an aromatic moiety or a cyclic, allylic ether moiety, an alkali metal, and either ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, or a combination thereof, in an ether solvent; and reacting the reaction mixture at from 20 C. to 30 C. for a time sufficient to reduce a double bond in the aromatic moiety to a single bond or to reduce the cyclic, allylic ether moiety.

A method of reducing an aromatic ring or a cyclic, allylic ether in a compound includes preparing a reaction mixture including a compound including an aromatic moiety or a cyclic, allylic ether moiety, an alkali metal, and either ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, or a combination thereof, in an ether solvent; and reacting the reaction mixture at from 20 C. to 30 C. for a time sufficient to reduce a double bond in the aromatic moiety to a single bond or to reduce the cyclic, allylic ether moiety.

The present invention discloses a method for preparing p-hydroxycinnamate by using an ionic liquid for catalytic lignin depolymerization comprising: 1) preparation of a halogen metal-based ionic liquid: preparing the halogen metal-based ionic liquid by reacting an alkylimidazole chloride with a metal chloride by heating the same to 30 C. to 80 C. with stirring; and 2) catalytic depolymerization of lignin: mixing the halogen metal-based ionic liquid and lignin with an alcohol, and after N.sub.2 replacement, heating the solution to 140 C. to 200 C. and reacting the solution for 4-8 h while stirring to prepare high value-added chemicals with p-hydroxycinnamate as a main product. The present invention has advantages of a simple process, mild conditions, environmental kindness, and high selectivity for a main product. The ionic liquid is simple in preparation, has a good atom economy, and is recyclable. Under optimal conditions, the yield of p-hydroxycinnamate can reach 40-80 mg/g.

The present invention discloses a method for preparing p-hydroxycinnamate by using an ionic liquid for catalytic lignin depolymerization comprising: 1) preparation of a halogen metal-based ionic liquid: preparing the halogen metal-based ionic liquid by reacting an alkylimidazole chloride with a metal chloride by heating the same to 30 C. to 80 C. with stirring; and 2) catalytic depolymerization of lignin: mixing the halogen metal-based ionic liquid and lignin with an alcohol, and after N.sub.2 replacement, heating the solution to 140 C. to 200 C. and reacting the solution for 4-8 h while stirring to prepare high value-added chemicals with p-hydroxycinnamate as a main product. The present invention has advantages of a simple process, mild conditions, environmental kindness, and high selectivity for a main product. The ionic liquid is simple in preparation, has a good atom economy, and is recyclable. Under optimal conditions, the yield of p-hydroxycinnamate can reach 40-80 mg/g.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing norbixin or bixin ethyl ester, which is a carotenoid-based compound, from a novel intermediate compound. When the novel intermediate compound is used, it is possible to manufacture norbixin or bixin ethyl ester in high yield through a simple process.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing norbixin or bixin ethyl ester, which is a carotenoid-based compound, from a novel intermediate compound. When the novel intermediate compound is used, it is possible to manufacture norbixin or bixin ethyl ester in high yield through a simple process.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing norbixin or bixin ethyl ester, which is a carotenoid-based compound, from a novel intermediate compound. When the novel intermediate compound is used, it is possible to manufacture norbixin or bixin ethyl ester in high yield through a simple process.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing norbixin or bixin ethyl ester, which is a carotenoid-based compound, from a novel intermediate compound. When the novel intermediate compound is used, it is possible to manufacture norbixin or bixin ethyl ester in high yield through a simple process.

Methods for preparing isotopically modified 1,4-diene systems from non-isotopically modified 1,4-dienes involve selective oxidation of one or more bis-allylic position(s), or the preparation of isotopically modified 1,4-diene systems via trapping pi-allylic complexes with a source of deuterium or tritium. Such methods are useful for preparing isotopically modified polyunsaturated lipid including polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acid derivatives.