The present invention relates to novel manganese complexes and their use, inter alia, for homogeneous catalysis in (1) the preparation of imine by dehydrogenative coupling of an alcohol and amine; (2) C—C coupling in Michael addition reaction using nitriles as Michael donors; (3) dehydrogenative coupling of alcohols to give esters and hydrogen gas (4) hydrogenation of esters to form alcohols (including hydrogenation of cyclic esters (lactones) or cyclic di-esters (di-lactones), or polyesters); (5) hydrogenation of amides (including cyclic dipeptides, lactams, diamide, polypeptides and polyamides) to alcohols and amines (or diamine); (6) hydrogenation of organic carbonates (including polycarbonates) to alcohols or hydrogenation of carbamates (including polycarbamates) or urea derivatives to alcohols and amines; (7) dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols to ketones; (8) amidation of esters (i.e., synthesis of amides from esters and amines); (9) acylation of alcohols using esters; (10) coupling of alcohols with water and a base to form carboxylic acids; and (11) preparation of amino acids or their salts by coupling of amino alcohols with water and a hydrogenative coupling of alcohols and amines; (13) preparation of imides from diols. ##STR00001## ##STR00002##

Provided is a preparation method for brivaracetam. The method has a synthetic route as shown below. The preparation method for the brivaracetam is simple, economical, environmentally friendly and suitable for industrialization:

##STR00001##

Provided is a preparation method for brivaracetam. The method has a synthetic route as shown below. The preparation method for the brivaracetam is simple, economical, environmentally friendly and suitable for industrialization:

##STR00001##

The compound is represented by general formula (i). In the compound, in a group K.sup.i1, at least two secondary carbon atoms in an alkyl group (a linear alkyl, halogenated alkyl, or cyanogenated alkyl group having 3 to 40 carbon atoms) are replaced with —C(═X.sup.i1)— and/or —CH(—CN)—, where X.sup.i1 is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, NH, or NR.sup.13; in addition, a group A.sup.i2, a group A.sup.i3, or the group K.sup.i1 includes, as a substituent, at least one P.sup.i1-Sp.sup.i1- group, where P.sup.i1 is a polymerizable group, and SP.sup.i1 is a spacer group or a single bond. The liquid crystal composition including the compound represented by general formula (i) can be adsorbed onto substrates between which a liquid crystal layer is held, and, consequently, without the use of an alignment film, liquid crystal molecules can be maintained in a state in which the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a vertical direction. ##STR00001##

A photoactive compound of formula (1a) or (1b):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 is substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1-30 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3-30 cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3-30 heterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.6-30 aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3-30 heteroaryl comprising an aromatic ring heteroatom chosen from nitrogen, oxygen, or a combination thereof; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as provided herein; R.sup.4 is substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1-30 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3-30 cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3-30 heterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.6-30 aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3-30 heteroaryl; and M.sup.+ is an organic cation.

A photoactive compound of formula (1a) or (1b):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 is substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1-30 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3-30 cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3-30 heterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.6-30 aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3-30 heteroaryl comprising an aromatic ring heteroatom chosen from nitrogen, oxygen, or a combination thereof; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as provided herein; R.sup.4 is substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1-30 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3-30 cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3-30 heterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.6-30 aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3-30 heteroaryl; and M.sup.+ is an organic cation.

The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4x, R.sup.4y, m, n and G are as defined herein. The invention further relates to herbicidal compositions which comprise a compound of Formula (I), to their use for controlling weeds, in particular in crops of useful plants.

##STR00001##

The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4x, R.sup.4y, m, n and G are as defined herein. The invention further relates to herbicidal compositions which comprise a compound of Formula (I), to their use for controlling weeds, in particular in crops of useful plants.

##STR00001##

The present invention relates to CH-acidic methacrylic esters and also copolymers obtainable from CH-acidic methacrylic esters. Furthermore, the present invention relates to coating compositions comprising these copolymers.

The present invention relates to CH-acidic methacrylic esters and also copolymers obtainable from CH-acidic methacrylic esters. Furthermore, the present invention relates to coating compositions comprising these copolymers.