Levulinic-capped estolides having improved physical properties that make them more desirable and suitable as bio-based industrial or commercial products are disclosed. The physical properties of the disclosed estolide compositions have surprisingly low pour points that are substantially lower than previously known estolide compounds and superior to petroleum-based compounds designed for similar applications.

The disclosure describes prodrugs and derivatives of prostaglandins, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, kinase inhibitors, beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists and other drugs, as well as controlled delivery formulations containing such prodrugs and derivatives, for the treatment of ocular disorders.

The disclosure describes prodrugs and derivatives of prostaglandins, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, kinase inhibitors, beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists and other drugs, as well as controlled delivery formulations containing such prodrugs and derivatives, for the treatment of ocular disorders.

The invention includes methods and materials for forming and manipulating aromatic-based polymers and copolymers using biomass compounds as starting materials. Embodiments of the invention can be used in processes designed to replace those used in the petro-chemical industry. Typical embodiments of the invention include methods and materials for forming and/or modifying compounds including dicarboxylic acid ester dimers, benzoxazines and dicarboxylic acid ether dimers. Embodiments of the invention further provide methods and materials for utilizing these compounds to form commercially desirable polymers having structures and physical properties akin to those found in polymers formed from petroleum products.

The invention includes methods and materials for forming and manipulating aromatic-based polymers and copolymers using biomass compounds as starting materials. Embodiments of the invention can be used in processes designed to replace those used in the petro-chemical industry. Typical embodiments of the invention include methods and materials for forming and/or modifying compounds including dicarboxylic acid ester dimers, benzoxazines and dicarboxylic acid ether dimers. Embodiments of the invention further provide methods and materials for utilizing these compounds to form commercially desirable polymers having structures and physical properties akin to those found in polymers formed from petroleum products.

The invention provides a protected antimicrobial compound and methods of using the same.

The invention provides a protected antimicrobial compound and methods of using the same.

A process for the synthesis of acrylic acid oligomer represented by formula (I): ##STR00001## in which n is an integer ranging from 1 to 10, wherein the process comprises the step of heating acrylic acid at a temperature from 50 C. to 200 C. in the presence of a catalyst, water and at least one polymerization inhibitor. Formula (I) where n=0 is acrylic acid, the precursor for preparing the acrylic acid oligomer.

A process for the synthesis of acrylic acid oligomer represented by formula (I): ##STR00001## in which n is an integer ranging from 1 to 10, wherein the process comprises the step of heating acrylic acid at a temperature from 50 C. to 200 C. in the presence of a catalyst, water and at least one polymerization inhibitor. Formula (I) where n=0 is acrylic acid, the precursor for preparing the acrylic acid oligomer.

The disclosure describes prodrugs and derivatives of prostaglandins, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, kinase inhibitors, beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists and other drugs, as well as controlled delivery formulations containing such prodrugs and derivatives, for the treatment of ocular disorders.