The invention relates to trans carotenoid compounds and salts thereof as well as compositions thereof, methods for making them, and uses thereof. These compounds are useful in improving diffusivity of oxygen between red blood cells and body tissues in mammals including humans.

The invention relates to trans carotenoid compounds and salts thereof as well as compositions thereof, methods for making them, and uses thereof. These compounds are useful in improving diffusivity of oxygen between red blood cells and body tissues in mammals including humans.

Liquid-crystalline media (LC media) comprising self-aligning mesogens (self-alignment additives) which effect homeotropic (vertical) alignment of the LC media at a surface or the cell walls of a liquid-crystal display (LC display). The self-alignment additives contain five-ring systems. LC displays having homeotropic alignment of the liquid-crystalline medium (LC medium) without conventional alignment layers are provided.

Liquid-crystalline media (LC media) comprising self-aligning mesogens (self-alignment additives) which effect homeotropic (vertical) alignment of the LC media at a surface or the cell walls of a liquid-crystal display (LC display). The self-alignment additives contain five-ring systems. LC displays having homeotropic alignment of the liquid-crystalline medium (LC medium) without conventional alignment layers are provided.

Novel stress-reducing crosslinking oligomers that have application in dental restoratives, thin films, hardcoats, composites, adhesives, and other uses subject to stress reduction are described. The addition-fragmentation process of crosslinking results in a chain-transfer event that provides novel polymers that may be further functionalized. In addition, the addition-fragmentation oligomer comprises pendent functional groups that bond to a substrate by forming an ionic or covalent bond, or etch the substrate by chemically removing some material from the substrate.

Novel stress-reducing crosslinking oligomers that have application in dental restoratives, thin films, hardcoats, composites, adhesives, and other uses subject to stress reduction are described. The addition-fragmentation process of crosslinking results in a chain-transfer event that provides novel polymers that may be further functionalized. In addition, the addition-fragmentation oligomer comprises pendent functional groups that bond to a substrate by forming an ionic or covalent bond, or etch the substrate by chemically removing some material from the substrate.

Disclosed are methods or processes of synthesizing building blocks and feedstocks for producing a broader range of polymers, including renewable polymers, from renewable resources such as CO.sub.2. In a process of manufacturing a renewable feedstock for polymer production, a CO.sub.2 derived lactone is prepared and processed to form the renewable feedstock. The process may include alkoxycarbonylation of the CO.sub.2 derived lactone to form a diester and hydrogenation of the diester.

Disclosed are methods or processes of synthesizing building blocks and feedstocks for producing a broader range of polymers, including renewable polymers, from renewable resources such as CO.sub.2. In a process of manufacturing a renewable feedstock for polymer production, a CO.sub.2 derived lactone is prepared and processed to form the renewable feedstock. The process may include alkoxycarbonylation of the CO.sub.2 derived lactone to form a diester and hydrogenation of the diester.

Monomers, polymers, or oligomers formed therefrom and methods of forming or utilizing monomers of formula I ##STR00001##
where R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl; and X is —OH; —OM where M is lithium (Li), sodium (Na), or potassium (K), NH.sub.4.sup.+, R.sup.5NH.sub.3.sup.+, R.sup.5.sub.2NH.sub.2.sup.+, R.sup.5.sub.3NH.sup.+, R.sup.5.sub.4N.sup.+ where R.sup.5 can independently be selected from alkyl, benzyl, and combinations thereof; —OR.sup.2 where R.sup.2 can be a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, 2-ethylhexyl, or a hydrocarbon moiety of bio-renewable alcohol or a hydrogenated derivative thereof; —NR.sup.3R.sup.4, —NR.sup.3—NR.sup.3R.sup.4, —NR.sup.3—OR.sup.4 where R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 can independently be H, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, or combinations thereof.

Monomers, polymers, or oligomers formed therefrom and methods of forming or utilizing monomers of formula I ##STR00001##
where R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl; and X is —OH; —OM where M is lithium (Li), sodium (Na), or potassium (K), NH.sub.4.sup.+, R.sup.5NH.sub.3.sup.+, R.sup.5.sub.2NH.sub.2.sup.+, R.sup.5.sub.3NH.sup.+, R.sup.5.sub.4N.sup.+ where R.sup.5 can independently be selected from alkyl, benzyl, and combinations thereof; —OR.sup.2 where R.sup.2 can be a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, 2-ethylhexyl, or a hydrocarbon moiety of bio-renewable alcohol or a hydrogenated derivative thereof; —NR.sup.3R.sup.4, —NR.sup.3—NR.sup.3R.sup.4, —NR.sup.3—OR.sup.4 where R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 can independently be H, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, or combinations thereof.