A method for extracting a rare earth metal from a mixture of one or more rare earth metals, said method comprising contacting an acidic solution of the rare earth metal with a composition which comprises an ionic liquid to form an aqueous phase and a non-aqueous phase into which the rare earth metal has been selectively extracted, wherein the ionic liquid has the formula [Ca.sup.++][X′], where [X′] represents a phosphinate anion.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a carbonate derivative in a safe and efficient manner. The method for producing a carbonate derivative according to the present invention is characterized in comprising irradiating light on a composition containing a C.sub.1-4 halogenated hydrocarbon having one or more kinds of halogen atoms selected from the group consisting of a chlorine atom, a bromine atom and an iodine atom, a nucleophilic functional group-containing compound and the specific base in the presence of oxygen.

The invention provides compounds that inhibit FTO (fat mass and obesity), including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrides and stereoisomers thereof. The compounds are employed in pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of making and use, including treating a person in need thereof, particularly obesity, with an effective amount of the compound or composition, and detecting a resultant improvement in the person's health or condition.

The invention provides compounds that inhibit FTO (fat mass and obesity), including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrides and stereoisomers thereof. The compounds are employed in pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of making and use, including treating a person in need thereof, particularly obesity, with an effective amount of the compound or composition, and detecting a resultant improvement in the person's health or condition.

Provided herein are substituted haloimidazole crystals, the substituted haloimidazole crystal comprising a substituted haloimidazole compound wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl, and a halogen. The substituted haloimidazole crystals may further comprise second substituted haloimidazole. The substituted haloimidazole crystals may be piezoelectric, ferroelectric, flexible, or any combination thereof. Also provided herein are methods for preparing substituted haloimidazole crystals.

Provided herein are substituted haloimidazole crystals, the substituted haloimidazole crystal comprising a substituted haloimidazole compound wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl, and a halogen. The substituted haloimidazole crystals may further comprise second substituted haloimidazole. The substituted haloimidazole crystals may be piezoelectric, ferroelectric, flexible, or any combination thereof. Also provided herein are methods for preparing substituted haloimidazole crystals.

Methods for producing triflazoles or related derivatives thereof, and the resulting products are provided. For example, triflazoles can be prepared by reaction of trifluoromethanesulfonyl fluoride with an azole or azolate salt. Yields up to 78% are obtained. Triflazoles can be prepared by the reaction of a trifluoromethanesulfonyl fluoride with an N-silylazole in the presence of a basic catalyst. Yields up to 97% are obtained.

A compound for use in the treatment of a disease ameliorated by the inhibition of Notum of formula (I): (I)

##STR00001##

A compound for use in the treatment of a disease ameliorated by the inhibition of Notum of formula (I): (I)

##STR00001##

Disclosed is a compound of formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein all symbols are defined in the description. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, methods of making the compounds, kits comprising the compounds, and methods of using the compounds, compositions and kits for treatment of disorders associated with TREK-1, TREK-2 or both TREK-1 and TREK-2 dysfunction in a mammal.