The disclosure relates to a method for enhancing the biosynthesis and/or secretion of sapogenins in the culture medium of plant and microbial cell cultures. Further, the disclosure also relates to the identification of novel genes involved in the biosynthesis of sapogenin intermediates, as well as to novel sapogenin compounds.

Sulfonyl-containing polymeric materials are prepared by treating a precursor polymeric material with a sulfonyl-containing compound. The precursor polymeric materials are formed from a polymerizable composition that contains a crosslinker that is a free-radically polymerizable spirobisindane monomer. The sulfonyl-containing polymeric material can be used as an ion exchange resin.

In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein is versatile polyene cyclization strategy that exploits conjugated -ionyl derivatives. Photomediated disruption of the extended -system within these chromophores unveils a contra-thermodynamic polyene that engages in a Heck-type cyclization to afford [4.4.1]-propellanes. The connectivity of overbred polycycles generated from this process is controlled by the position of the requisite C-Halide bond. Thus, compared to conventional biomimetic polyene cyclization, this approach allows for complete control of regiochemistry and facilitates incorporation of both electron-rich and electron-deficient (hetero)aryl groups. This strategy was successfully applied to the total synthesis of abietanes such as, for example, taxodione and salviasperanol, two isomeric abietane-type diterpenes that previously could not be prepared along the same synthetic pathway.

In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein is versatile polyene cyclization strategy that exploits conjugated -ionyl derivatives. Photomediated disruption of the extended -system within these chromophores unveils a contra-thermodynamic polyene that engages in a Heck-type cyclization to afford [4.4.1]-propellanes. The connectivity of overbred polycycles generated from this process is controlled by the position of the requisite C-Halide bond. Thus, compared to conventional biomimetic polyene cyclization, this approach allows for complete control of regiochemistry and facilitates incorporation of both electron-rich and electron-deficient (hetero)aryl groups. This strategy was successfully applied to the total synthesis of abietanes such as, for example, taxodione and salviasperanol, two isomeric abietane-type diterpenes that previously could not be prepared along the same synthetic pathway.

The present invention relates to new fullerene derivatives of formulae 1a-d, 2 and 3: ##STR00001##
method of synthesizing said derivatives, and applications thereof in organic photovoltaics, e.g., organic solar cells. In particular, the fullerene derivatives of the present invention are soluble in non-halogenated solvents such that an environmental-friendly and low-cost fabrication method for industrialization of solar cell based on the new fullerene derivatives is provided. An ink formulation for forming a thin film on a substrate of organic photovoltaics comprising at least one of the fullerene derivatives of the present invention is also provided. Greater than 3% power conversion efficiency of the organic solar cells (area=0.16 cm.sup.2) formed based on the fullerene derivatives of the present invention with less pollution and lower cost in fabrication can be achieved in the present invention.

The present invention relates to new fullerene derivatives of formulae 1a-d, 2 and 3: ##STR00001##
method of synthesizing said derivatives, and applications thereof in organic photovoltaics, e.g., organic solar cells. In particular, the fullerene derivatives of the present invention are soluble in non-halogenated solvents such that an environmental-friendly and low-cost fabrication method for industrialization of solar cell based on the new fullerene derivatives is provided. An ink formulation for forming a thin film on a substrate of organic photovoltaics comprising at least one of the fullerene derivatives of the present invention is also provided. Greater than 3% power conversion efficiency of the organic solar cells (area=0.16 cm.sup.2) formed based on the fullerene derivatives of the present invention with less pollution and lower cost in fabrication can be achieved in the present invention.

The invention relates to fullerene derivatives of formula I, to mixtures and formulations containing them, to the use of the fullerene derivatives, mixtures and formulations as organic semiconductors in, or for the preparation of electronic devices, especially organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices and organic photodetectors (OPD), and to electronic devices comprising, or being prepared from, these fullerene derivatives, mixtures or formulations.

##STR00001##

The invention relates to fullerene derivatives of formula I, to mixtures and formulations containing them, to the use of the fullerene derivatives, mixtures and formulations as organic semiconductors in, or for the preparation of electronic devices, especially organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices and organic photodetectors (OPD), and to electronic devices comprising, or being prepared from, these fullerene derivatives, mixtures or formulations.

##STR00001##

In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein is versatile polyene cyclization strategy that exploits conjugated -ionyl derivatives. Photomediated disruption of the extended -system within these chromophores unveils a contra-thermodynamic polyene that engages in a Heck-type cyclization to afford [4.4.1]-propellanes. The connectivity of overbred polycycles generated from this process is controlled by the position of the requisite C-Halide bond. Thus, compared to conventional biomimetic polyene cyclization, this approach allows for complete control of regiochemistry and facilitates incorporation of both electron-rich and electron-deficient (hetero)aryl groups. This strategy was successfully applied to the total synthesis of abietanes such as, for example, taxodione and salviasperanol, two isomeric abietane-type diterpenes that previously could not be prepared along the same synthetic pathway.

In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein is versatile polyene cyclization strategy that exploits conjugated -ionyl derivatives. Photomediated disruption of the extended -system within these chromophores unveils a contra-thermodynamic polyene that engages in a Heck-type cyclization to afford [4.4.1]-propellanes. The connectivity of overbred polycycles generated from this process is controlled by the position of the requisite C-Halide bond. Thus, compared to conventional biomimetic polyene cyclization, this approach allows for complete control of regiochemistry and facilitates incorporation of both electron-rich and electron-deficient (hetero)aryl groups. This strategy was successfully applied to the total synthesis of abietanes such as, for example, taxodione and salviasperanol, two isomeric abietane-type diterpenes that previously could not be prepared along the same synthetic pathway.