This invention relates to compounds of formula 1, 2 or 3 ##STR00001##
a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or solvate thereof, wherein X.sub.1, Y, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, and R.sub.5 are as defined herein. The compounds are antimicrobial agents that may be used to treat various bacterial and protozoal infections and disorders related to such infections. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and to methods of treating bacterial and protozoal infections by administering the compounds of formula 1, 2 or 3.

Fluorescence quenching nitrodiarylethene analogs are useful in oligonucleotide conjugates and probes. These analogs, whose absorption spectra are substantially blue-shifted relatively to emission spectra of common fluorophores (such as fluorescein), do not need to rely on spectral overlap of quencher absorbance and fluorophore's emission for their quenching abilities. The oligonucleotide-quencher conjugates may be used in detection methods for nucleic acid targets.

Fluorescence quenching nitrodiarylethene analogs are useful in oligonucleotide conjugates and probes. These analogs, whose absorption spectra are substantially blue-shifted relatively to emission spectra of common fluorophores (such as fluorescein), do not need to rely on spectral overlap of quencher absorbance and fluorophore's emission for their quenching abilities. The oligonucleotide-quencher conjugates may be used in detection methods for nucleic acid targets.

This invention relates to compounds of formula 1, 2 or 3

##STR00001##

a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or solvate thereof, wherein X.sub.1, Y, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, and R.sub.5 are as defined herein. The compounds are antimicrobial agents that may be used to treat various bacterial and protozoal infections and disorders related to such infections. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and to methods of treating bacterial and protozoal infections by administering the compounds of formula 1, 2 or 3.

This invention relates to compounds of formula 1, 2 or 3

##STR00001##

a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or solvate thereof, wherein X.sub.1, Y, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, and R.sub.5 are as defined herein. The compounds are antimicrobial agents that may be used to treat various bacterial and protozoal infections and disorders related to such infections. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and to methods of treating bacterial and protozoal infections by administering the compounds of formula 1, 2 or 3.

Fluorescence quenching nitrodiarylethene analogs are useful in oligonucleotide conjugates and probes. These analogs, whose absorption spectra are substantially blue-shifted relatively to emission spectra of common fluorophores (such as fluorescein), do not need to rely on spectral overlap of quencher absorbance and fluorophore's emission for their quenching abilities. The oligonucleotide-quencher conjugates may be used in detection methods for nucleic acid targets.

Fluorescence quenching nitrodiarylethene analogs are useful in oligonucleotide conjugates and probes. These analogs, whose absorption spectra are substantially blue-shifted relatively to emission spectra of common fluorophores (such as fluorescein), do not need to rely on spectral overlap of quencher absorbance and fluorophore's emission for their quenching abilities. The oligonucleotide-quencher conjugates may be used in detection methods for nucleic acid targets.

Analogs of stilbene, and in particular, 3,5-dimethoxystilbene, are disclosed. Also disclosed are various uses for the different compounds described. The uses of the disclosed 3,5-dimethoxystilbene analogs include treatment as a pesticide, nematicide, fungicide, bactericide, and antimicrobial agent. Many of the analogs are novel, and procedures for synthesis are also provided.

A process for preparing substituted biphenyls of the formula (I) which comprises reacting a compound of the formula (II) in the presence of a base and of a palladium catalyst, with an organoboron compound of the formula (IV).

##STR00001##

A process for preparing substituted biphenyls of the formula (I) which comprises reacting a compound of the formula (II) in the presence of a base and of a palladium catalyst, with an organoboron compound of the formula (IV).

##STR00001##