The present invention is related to a catalytic process, which includes catalytic compositions for depolymerisation and deoxygenation of lignin contained in the biomass for obtaining aromatic hydrocarbons. The catalytic composition consists of at least one non-noble element from group VIIIB of the periodic table supported on a mesoporous matrix composed of an inorganic oxide, which can be alumina surface-modified with a second inorganic oxide with the object of inhibiting the interaction between the active component and the support. The process of lignin depolymerisation consists of dissolving lignin in a mixture of protic liquids, reacting it I a reaction system by batch or in continuous flow at inert and/or reducing atmosphere, at a temperature of between 60 to 320° C. and a pressure of from 5 to 90 kg/cm.sup.2. When the reaction is developed into a batch system, oxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are mainly produced, both by thermal as well as catalytic depolymerisation, whereas in a continuous flow reaction system, deoxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are produced.

An object of the present invention is to enable the synthesis of various fluorine-containing compounds having an organic group at both terminals of their tetrafluoroethylene structure (—CF.sub.2—CF.sub.2—). The present invention provides a fluorine-containing complex compound including a fluorine-containing organic metal compound represented by formula (1a):
R.sup.1—CF.sub.2—CF.sub.2-M.sup.1  (1a)
wherein M.sup.1 is a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc, nickel, iron, cobalt, and tin; and R.sup.1 represents an organic group, and at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of pyridine ring-containing compounds and phosphines.

An object of the present invention is to enable the synthesis of various fluorine-containing compounds having an organic group at both terminals of their tetrafluoroethylene structure (—CF.sub.2—CF.sub.2—). The present invention provides a fluorine-containing complex compound including a fluorine-containing organic metal compound represented by formula (1a):
R.sup.1—CF.sub.2—CF.sub.2-M.sup.1  (1a)
wherein M.sup.1 is a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc, nickel, iron, cobalt, and tin; and R.sup.1 represents an organic group, and at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of pyridine ring-containing compounds and phosphines.

An object of the present invention is to enable the synthesis of various fluorine-containing compounds having an organic group at both terminals of their tetrafluoroethylene structure (—CF.sub.2—CF.sub.2—). The present invention provides a fluorine-containing complex compound including a fluorine-containing organic metal compound represented by formula (1a):
R.sup.1—CF.sub.2—CF.sub.2-M.sup.1  (1a)
wherein M.sup.1 is a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc, nickel, iron, cobalt, and tin; and R.sup.1 represents an organic group, and at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of pyridine ring-containing compounds and phosphines.

Isoorientin analogues and related compounds that inhibit glycogen synthase kinase-3β activity are provided as are methods of using these compounds in the treatment of cognitive, neurodegenerative or neurological diseases or conditions, as well as cancer, obesity, diabetes, inflammatory or autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disorder, metabolic syndrome X, hair loss, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, cocaine addiction, dental caries, bone loss and glaucoma.

To provide a liquid crystal compound satisfying at least one of physical properties such as a high stability to heat, light and so forth, a high clearing point, a low minimum temperature of a liquid crystal phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a suitable elastic constant and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds; a liquid crystal composition containing the compound; and a liquid crystal display device including the composition. The compound is represented by formula (1): ##STR00001##
wherein, for example, Ra and Rb are alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, alkenyl having 2 to 10 carbons or alkoxy having 1 to 9 carbons; A.sup.1, A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 are 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are single bonds, —(CH.sub.2).sub.2—, —CH═CH—, —COO—, —OCO—, —CF.sub.2O—, —OCF.sub.2—, —CH.sub.2O— or —OCH.sub.2—; Y.sup.1 is —CF.sub.2H or —CF.sub.3; Y.sup.2 is fluorine; and a, b and d are 0, 1, 2 or 3, and c is 1 or 3.

To provide a liquid crystal compound satisfying at least one of physical properties such as a high stability to heat, light and so forth, a high clearing point, a low minimum temperature of a liquid crystal phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a suitable elastic constant and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds; a liquid crystal composition containing the compound; and a liquid crystal display device including the composition. The compound is represented by formula (1): ##STR00001##
wherein, for example, Ra and Rb are alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, alkenyl having 2 to 10 carbons or alkoxy having 1 to 9 carbons; A.sup.1, A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 are 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are single bonds, —(CH.sub.2).sub.2—, —CH═CH—, —COO—, —OCO—, —CF.sub.2O—, —OCF.sub.2—, —CH.sub.2O— or —OCH.sub.2—; Y.sup.1 is —CF.sub.2H or —CF.sub.3; Y.sup.2 is fluorine; and a, b and d are 0, 1, 2 or 3, and c is 1 or 3.

An unsaturated deoxybenzoin compound has the structure (I)

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, and n are defined herein. A polymer including at least one group derived from a deoxybenzoin compound having structure (I), (II), or a combination thereof

##STR00002##

is also described, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10, and n are defined herein.

An unsaturated deoxybenzoin compound has the structure (I)

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, and n are defined herein. A polymer including at least one group derived from a deoxybenzoin compound having structure (I), (II), or a combination thereof

##STR00002##

is also described, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10, and n are defined herein.

A method of converting lignin to phenolic compounds and dicarboxylates in high yield is described. The method involves the use of peroxy acids to react with lignin at a moderated treatment conditions. The peroxy acids can be used along or in combination of other catalysts that have the capability to lower the molecular weight of lignin. A phenolic compounds yield is achieved (>60%) and these phenolic compounds represents high value precursors for various applications include but not limited to antioxidants, health improvement agents, anticorrosive agents, liquid fuel components and performance enhancing agents, resin and adhesives. Dicarboxylic acids can be used for polymer applications or hydrodeoxygenation to hydrocarbon fuel.