The present invention relates to a process for providing a compound of formula (IV): ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, and Hal is independently Cl or Br, the process comprising the steps of: (i) reacting a compound of formula (II) ##STR00002##
wherein R.sup.1 and Hal is defined as above, to obtain a compound of formula (III) ##STR00003##
wherein R.sup.1 and Hal is defined as above, and (ii) reacting the compound of formula (III) to obtain the compound of formula (IV).

The present invention relates to a process for providing a compound of formula (IV): ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, and Hal is independently Cl or Br, the process comprising the steps of: (i) reacting a compound of formula (II) ##STR00002##
wherein R.sup.1 and Hal is defined as above, to obtain a compound of formula (III) ##STR00003##
wherein R.sup.1 and Hal is defined as above, and (ii) reacting the compound of formula (III) to obtain the compound of formula (IV).

A photoactivatable caged compound (TPE-C) with AIE characteristics is designed and synthesized. TPE-C is non-emissive either in solution or in aggregated state, but its luminescence can be induced to emit strong cyan emission in aggregated state by UV irradiation. Such property enables TPE-C to be applied in photo-patterning and anti-counterfeiting related areas.

Oxidizing a first aromatic compound in the presence of a metal salt to yield a second aromatic compound includes combining the first aromatic compound, the metal salt, and water to yield an aqueous mixture, and heating the aqueous mixture at a temperature exceeding 200 C. to yield a reaction product that includes the second aromatic compound.

Oxidizing a first aromatic compound in the presence of a metal salt to yield a second aromatic compound includes combining the first aromatic compound, the metal salt, and water to yield an aqueous mixture, and heating the aqueous mixture at a temperature exceeding 200 C. to yield a reaction product that includes the second aromatic compound.

The present invention relates to a process for providing a compound of formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein Hal is a halogen, the process comprising the step of: reacting a compound of formula (II) ##STR00002##
wherein Hal is defined as above, with an alkali metal sulfite of the formula X.sub.2SO.sub.3 and an alkali metal hydroxide of the formula YOH, wherein X and Y are independently selected from an alkali metal.

The present invention relates to a process for providing a compound of formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein Hal is a halogen, the process comprising the step of: reacting a compound of formula (II) ##STR00002##
wherein Hal is defined as above, with an alkali metal sulfite of the formula X.sub.2SO.sub.3 and an alkali metal hydroxide of the formula YOH, wherein X and Y are independently selected from an alkali metal.

The present invention relates to a process for providing a compound of formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein Hal is a halogen, the process comprising the step of: reacting a compound of formula (II) ##STR00002##
wherein Hal is defined as above, with an alkali metal sulfite of the formula X.sub.2SO.sub.3 and an alkali metal hydroxide of the formula YOH, wherein X and Y are independently selected from an alkali metal.

The present invention relates to a process for providing a compound of formula (IV):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, and Hal is independently Cl or Br, the process comprising the steps of: (i) reacting a compound of formula (II)

##STR00002##

wherein R.sup.1 and Hal is defined as above, to obtain a compound of formula (III)

##STR00003##

wherein R.sup.1 and Hal is defined as above, and (ii) reacting the compound of formula (III) to obtain the compound of formula (IV).

The present invention relates to a process for providing a compound of formula (IV):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, and Hal is independently Cl or Br, the process comprising the steps of: (i) reacting a compound of formula (II)

##STR00002##

wherein R.sup.1 and Hal is defined as above, to obtain a compound of formula (III)

##STR00003##

wherein R.sup.1 and Hal is defined as above, and (ii) reacting the compound of formula (III) to obtain the compound of formula (IV).