The present invention relates to catechol-derivative compounds of formula (I), as well as polymeric compounds obtained by condensation. The present invention also relates to the use of the compounds for preparing functional coatings and as adhesive substances.

##STR00001##

Substituted hydroquinones and quinones and methods of synthesizing such compounds are disclosed herein. The substituted hydroquinones have the formula: ##STR00001##
while the substituted quinones have the corresponding oxidized structure (1,4-benzoquinones). One, two, three, or all four of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 comprise a thioether moiety and a sulfonate moiety, and wherein each R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 that does not comprise a thioether and a sulfonate moiety sulfonate moiety is independently a hydrogen, an alkyl or an electron withdrawing group. The substituted hydroquinones and quinones are soluble in water, stable in aqueous acid solutions, and have a high reduction potential in the oxidized form. Accordingly, they can be used as redox mediators in emerging technologies, such as in mediated fuel cells or organic-mediator flow batteries.

Substituted hydroquinones and quinones and methods of synthesizing such compounds are disclosed herein. The substituted hydroquinones have the formula: ##STR00001##
while the substituted quinones have the corresponding oxidized structure (1,4-benzoquinones). One, two, three, or all four of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 comprise a thioether moiety and a sulfonate moiety, and wherein each R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 that does not comprise a thioether and a sulfonate moiety sulfonate moiety is independently a hydrogen, an alkyl or an electron withdrawing group. The substituted hydroquinones and quinones are soluble in water, stable in aqueous acid solutions, and have a high reduction potential in the oxidized form. Accordingly, they can be used as redox mediators in emerging technologies, such as in mediated fuel cells or organic-mediator flow batteries.

Therapeutically-effective amounts of novel analogs or derivatives of alkyl fatty acids, such as but not limited to lipoic acid, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising such analogs or derivatives and pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers therefor, are useful for the treatment, prevention, imaging, and/or diagnosis of medical disorders.

Therapeutically-effective amounts of novel analogs or derivatives of alkyl fatty acids, such as but not limited to lipoic acid, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising such analogs or derivatives and pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers therefor, are useful for the treatment, prevention, imaging, and/or diagnosis of medical disorders.

The present invention relates to novel compounds containing fluorinated end groups, to the use thereof as surface-active substances, and to compositions comprising these compounds.

The present specification relates to a halogenated compound, a polymer and a polymer electrolyte membrane including the same.

The present specification relates to a halogenated compound, a polymer and a polymer electrolyte membrane including the same.

Therapeutically-effective amounts of novel analogs or derivatives of alkyl fatty acids, such as but not limited to lipoic acid, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising such analogs or derivatives and pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers therefor, are useful for the treatment, prevention, imaging, and/or diagnosis of medical disorders.

Therapeutically-effective amounts of novel analogs or derivatives of alkyl fatty acids, such as but not limited to lipoic acid, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising such analogs or derivatives and pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers therefor, are useful for the treatment, prevention, imaging, and/or diagnosis of medical disorders.