The present invention relates to nordihydroguaiaretic acid derivative compounds, namely, butane bridge modified nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) compounds and butane bridge modified tetra-O-substituted NDGA compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, methods of making them, and methods of using them and kits including them for the treatment of diseases and disorders, in particular, diseases resulting from or associated with a virus infection, such as HIV infection, HPV infection, or HSV infection, an inflammatory disease, such as various types of arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases, metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, or a proliferative disease, such as diverse types of cancers.

The disclosure provides a dual-catalysis system for direct conversion of olefins to alcohols. The cooperative catalytic system contains one oxidizing catalyst and one transfer-hydrogenation catalyst. A wide variety of olefins, including aromatic and aliphatic olefins, can be used as the reactant. The transformation proceeds with anti-Markovnikov selectivity, and in some aspects provides primary alcohols as major products. The disclosure further provides a system for oxidation of olefins with anti-Markovnikov selectivity.

The disclosure provides a dual-catalysis system for direct conversion of olefins to alcohols. The cooperative catalytic system contains one oxidizing catalyst and one transfer-hydrogenation catalyst. A wide variety of olefins, including aromatic and aliphatic olefins, can be used as the reactant. The transformation proceeds with anti-Markovnikov selectivity, and in some aspects provides primary alcohols as major products. The disclosure further provides a system for oxidation of olefins with anti-Markovnikov selectivity.

Described are methods for preparing a deuterated aldehyde using N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts in a solvent comprising D.sub.2O. The methods may be used to convert a wide variety of aldehydes (e.g., aryl, alkyl, or alkenyl aldehydes) to C-1 deuterated aldehydes under mild reaction conditions without functionality manipulation.

Described are methods for preparing a deuterated aldehyde using N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts in a solvent comprising D.sub.2O. The methods may be used to convert a wide variety of aldehydes (e.g., aryl, alkyl, or alkenyl aldehydes) to C-1 deuterated aldehydes under mild reaction conditions without functionality manipulation.