A polyphenol derivative of the stilbenoid family, namely trans-3,5,4-trihydroxybibenzyl, also known as dihydro-resveratrol, is disclosed as a remedial agent. In particular, the usage of dihydro-resveratrol as an anti-fibrotic agent in suppressing the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) is presented. One embodiment also relates to the management of pancreatic fibrosis, which is often accompanied with chronic pancreatitis and desmoplastic reaction of pancreatic cancer. Another embodiment has applications in preventing or alleviating or treating pancreatic cancer or pancreatogenic diabetes.

The invention relates to a method of alkene metathesis. In the method, at least one monoalkene is subjected to ethenolysis in the presence of a diene. The invention also relates to the use of a diene to promote an ethenolysis reaction conducted on a monoalkene.

The invention relates to a method of alkene metathesis. In the method, at least one monoalkene is subjected to ethenolysis in the presence of a diene. The invention also relates to the use of a diene to promote an ethenolysis reaction conducted on a monoalkene.

Described herein are high yield methods for making magnolol derivatives, together with novel intermediates and uses thereof.

Described herein are high yield methods for making magnolol derivatives, together with novel intermediates and uses thereof.

The invention provides a method of alkene metathesis comprising contacting at least a first alkene, which is cardanol and/or anacardic acid, with an alkylidene ruthenium alkene metathesis catalyst comprising two ligands P.sup.1 and P.sup.2, which may be the same or different and of formula P(R.sup.1).sup.3, in which P is a phosphorus atom coordinated to the ruthenium ion and each R.sup.1 is independently an optionally substituted alkyl or alkoxy group; or two R.sup.1 groups within one P.sup.1 or P.sup.2 ligand constitute an optionally substituted bicycloalkyl.

The invention provides a method of alkene metathesis comprising contacting at least a first alkene, which is cardanol and/or anacardic acid, with an alkylidene ruthenium alkene metathesis catalyst comprising two ligands P.sup.1 and P.sup.2, which may be the same or different and of formula P(R.sup.1).sup.3, in which P is a phosphorus atom coordinated to the ruthenium ion and each R.sup.1 is independently an optionally substituted alkyl or alkoxy group; or two R.sup.1 groups within one P.sup.1 or P.sup.2 ligand constitute an optionally substituted bicycloalkyl.

Provided in the present invention is a method for preparing chiral alkyl compounds by the asymmetric hydrogenation reaction of iron complex catalysts catalysing olefins: using the disubstituted olefin shown in formula I as a raw material, atmospheric hydrogen as a hydrogen source, FeX2-8-OIQ complex as a catalyst, and a silane compound and acetonitrile as cocatalysts, and reacting for 12-24 hours under the action of a reducing agent to prepare the chiral alkyl compound shown in formula II. The method of the present invention has mild reaction conditions, simple operation, and high atom economy. In addition, the reaction does not require the addition of any other toxic transition metal (such as ruthenium, rhodium, and palladium), and has great practical application value in the synthesis of drugs and materials. The conversion rate of the reaction is also good, generally reaching >99%, and the enantioselectivity is also high, generally 70-99%. ##STR00001## ##STR00002##

Provided in the present invention is a method for preparing chiral alkyl compounds by the asymmetric hydrogenation reaction of iron complex catalysts catalysing olefins: using the disubstituted olefin shown in formula I as a raw material, atmospheric hydrogen as a hydrogen source, FeX2-8-OIQ complex as a catalyst, and a silane compound and acetonitrile as cocatalysts, and reacting for 12-24 hours under the action of a reducing agent to prepare the chiral alkyl compound shown in formula II. The method of the present invention has mild reaction conditions, simple operation, and high atom economy. In addition, the reaction does not require the addition of any other toxic transition metal (such as ruthenium, rhodium, and palladium), and has great practical application value in the synthesis of drugs and materials. The conversion rate of the reaction is also good, generally reaching >99%, and the enantioselectivity is also high, generally 70-99%. ##STR00001## ##STR00002##

A polyphenol derivative of the stilbenoid family, namely trans-3,5,4-trihydroxybibenzyl, also known as dihydro-resveratrol, is disclosed as a remedial agent. In particular, the usage of dihydro-resveratrol as an anti-fibrotic agent in suppressing the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) is presented. One embodiment also relates to the management of pancreatic fibrosis, which is often accompanied with chronic pancreatitis and desmoplastic reaction of pancreatic cancer. Another embodiment has applications in preventing or alleviating or treating pancreatic cancer or pancreatogenic diabetes.