The invention relates to compounds of Formula I or Formula II: to compositions comprising such compounds, and to methods of use thereof for treating neurodegenerative disorders, such as Friedreich ataxia.

A polar compound has a high chemical stability, high ability to align liquid crystal molecules and high solubility in a liquid crystal composition, and causes no decrease of liquid crystallinity of the liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal composition contains the compound, and a liquid crystal display device includes the composition. The compound is represented by formula (1), the composition contains the compound, and the liquid crystal display device uses the composition. ##STR00001## In formula (1), R.sup.1 is alkyl having 3 to 15 carbons, alkenyl having 4 to 15 carbons or the like; a is an integer from 2 to 12; and R.sup.2 is a group represented by formula (1a), formula (1b) or formula (1c). ##STR00002## In the formulas, S.sup.1 and S.sup.2 are independently a single bond, alkylene having 1 to 10 carbons; S.sup.3 is >CH— or >N—; S.sup.4 is >C< or >Si<; and X.sup.1 is —OH, —NH.sub.2 or the like.

The disclosure includes brominated alkenyl alcohols, their use as a flame retardant in polyurethane and polyurethane foams, and polyurethanes containing the brominated alkenyl alcohols. Compositions, methods, and processes are disclosed. The brominated alkenyl alcohols used as flame retardants in polyurethanes can be generally described by Formula (I), the scope of which is disclosed herein.

##STR00001##

The disclosure includes brominated alkenyl alcohols, their use as a flame retardant in polyurethane and polyurethane foams, and polyurethanes containing the brominated alkenyl alcohols. Compositions, methods, and processes are disclosed. The brominated alkenyl alcohols used as flame retardants in polyurethanes can be generally described by Formula (I), the scope of which is disclosed herein.

##STR00001##

To provide a novel fluorine-containing compound that does not include any long chain perfluoroalkyl unit having 8 or more carbon atoms, which is problematic in terms of the environment, and that is excellent in water repellency/oil repellency, and a surface modifier using the compound. [Solution] There are used a fluorine-containing compound represented by the following general formula (1), the following general formula (2) or the following general formula (5): Rf.sup.1—(CR.sup.1═CR.sup.2—X—Rf.sup.2).sub.n—Y—Z (1), Rf.sup.1—(X—CR.sup.1═CR.sup.2—Rf.sup.2).sub.n—Y—Z (2) or Rf.sup.3—(CF═CR.sup.3—CR.sup.4═CF—Rf.sup.4).sub.n—Y—Z (5); and a surface modifier using the compound.

The present invention relates to a haloalkenyl alkoxymethyl ether compound of the following general formula (1): R.sup.1CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH═CH(CH.sub.2).sub.aX.sup.1 (1) wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an n-alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group, X.sup.1 represents a halogen atom, and “a” represents an integer of 3 to 14. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-yl acetate compound of the following general formula (5): CH.sub.2═CHCH═CH(CH.sub.2).sub.aOAc (5) wherein “a” is as defined above, and Ac represents an acetyl group, and a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-ol compound of the following general formula (6): CH.sub.2═CHCH═CH(CH.sub.2).sub.aOH (6) wherein “a” is as defined above, from the haloalkenyl alkoxymethyl ether compound (1).

The present invention relates to a haloalkenyl alkoxymethyl ether compound of the following general formula (1): R.sup.1CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH═CH(CH.sub.2).sub.aX.sup.1 (1) wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an n-alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group, X.sup.1 represents a halogen atom, and “a” represents an integer of 3 to 14. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-yl acetate compound of the following general formula (5): CH.sub.2═CHCH═CH(CH.sub.2).sub.aOAc (5) wherein “a” is as defined above, and Ac represents an acetyl group, and a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-ol compound of the following general formula (6): CH.sub.2═CHCH═CH(CH.sub.2).sub.aOH (6) wherein “a” is as defined above, from the haloalkenyl alkoxymethyl ether compound (1).

The present invention relates to a haloalkenyl alkoxymethyl ether compound of the following general formula (1): R.sup.1CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH═CH(CH.sub.2).sub.aX.sup.1 (1) wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an n-alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group, X.sup.1 represents a halogen atom, and “a” represents an integer of 3 to 14. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-yl acetate compound of the following general formula (5): CH.sub.2═CHCH═CH(CH.sub.2).sub.aOAc (5) wherein “a” is as defined above, and Ac represents an acetyl group, and a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-ol compound of the following general formula (6): CH.sub.2═CHCH═CH(CH.sub.2).sub.aOH (6) wherein “a” is as defined above, from the haloalkenyl alkoxymethyl ether compound (1).

The present invention relates to a haloalkenyl alkoxymethyl ether compound of the following general formula (1): R.sup.1CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH═CH(CH.sub.2).sub.aX.sup.1 (1) wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an n-alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group, X.sup.1 represents a halogen atom, and “a” represents an integer of 3 to 14. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-yl acetate compound of the following general formula (5): CH.sub.2═CHCH═CH(CH.sub.2).sub.aOAc (5) wherein “a” is as defined above, and Ac represents an acetyl group, and a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-ol compound of the following general formula (6): CH.sub.2═CHCH═CH(CH.sub.2).sub.aOH (6) wherein “a” is as defined above, from the haloalkenyl alkoxymethyl ether compound (1).

The invention discloses a method for preparation of alkylated, fluoro alkylated, chloro alkylated and fluorochloro alkylated compounds by a heterogeneous Co-catalysed alkylation or fluoro, chloro and fluorochloro alkylation with alkyl halides, fluoro alkyl halides, chloro alkyl halides or fluorochloro alkyl halides respectively.