A sulfuric acid ester containing a plurality of carbonyl groups or a salt thereof, and a surfactant. The sulfuric acid ester is a compound represented by the following formula:
R.sup.1—C(═O)—R.sup.2—C(═O)—R.sup.3—OSO.sub.3X
wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are defined herein; X is H, a metal atom, NR.sup.4.sub.4, imidazolium optionally containing a substituent, pyridinium optionally containing a substituent, or phosphonium optionally containing a substituent, where R.sup.4s are each H or an organic group and are the same as or different from each other; and any two of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 optionally bind to each other to form a ring. Also disclosed is a surfactant containing the sulfuric acid ester and an aqueous dispersant containing the sulfuric acid ester.

The present invention relates to novel hydroxyl compounds, compositions comprising hydroxyl compounds, and methods useful for treating and preventing a variety of diseases and conditions such as, but not limited to aging, Alzheimer's Disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, a disorder of glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia, dyslipoproteinemia, hypertension, impotence, inflammation, insulin resistance, lipid elimination in bile, obesity, oxysterol elimination in bile, pancreatitis, pancreatitis, Parkinson's disease, a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-associated disorder, phospholipid elimination in bile, renal disease, septicemia, metabolic syndrome disorders (e.g., Syndrome X), thrombotic disorder. Compounds and methods of the invention can also be used to modulate C reactive protein or enhance bile production in a patient. In certain embodiments, the compounds, compositions, and methods of the invention are useful in combination therapy with other therapeutics, such as hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic agents.

Disclosed are enantioselective cross dehydrogenative coupling reactions for synthesizing tetrahydropyran compounds. Novel tetrahydropyran compounds may be synthesized by the disclosed methods as well as tetrahydropyran precursor compounds for synthesizing various naturally occurring compounds. The enantioselective cross dehydrogenative coupling reactions utilize in situ Lewis Acid activation in combination with oxidative formation of an oxocarbenium ion to provide a highly efficient and selective coupling reaction for synthesizing tetrahydropyran compounds.

Disclosed are enantioselective cross dehydrogenative coupling reactions for synthesizing tetrahydropyran compounds. Novel tetrahydropyran compounds may be synthesized by the disclosed methods as well as tetrahydropyran precursor compounds for synthesizing various naturally occurring compounds. The enantioselective cross dehydrogenative coupling reactions utilize in situ Lewis Acid activation in combination with oxidative formation of an oxocarbenium ion to provide a highly efficient and selective coupling reaction for synthesizing tetrahydropyran compounds.

The present invention provides compounds and methods for modulation of the quorum sensing of bacteria. In an embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act as replacements for naturally occurring bacterial quorum sensing ligands in a ligand-protein binding system; that is, they imitate the effect of natural ligands and produce an agonistic effect. In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act in a manner which disturbs or inhibits the naturally occurring ligand-protein binding system in quorum sensing bacteria; that is, they produce an antagonistic effect. The compounds of the present invention comprise N-acylated-homoserine lactones (AHLs) comprised of a wide range of acyl groups.

The present invention provides compounds and methods for modulation of the quorum sensing of bacteria. In an embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act as replacements for naturally occurring bacterial quorum sensing ligands in a ligand-protein binding system; that is, they imitate the effect of natural ligands and produce an agonistic effect. In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act in a manner which disturbs or inhibits the naturally occurring ligand-protein binding system in quorum sensing bacteria; that is, they produce an antagonistic effect. The compounds of the present invention comprise N-acylated-homoserine lactones (AHLs) comprised of a wide range of acyl groups.

The present disclosure relates to compounds, compositions and methods for inhibiting choline metabolism, e.g., conversion of choline to trimethylamine. Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions, and methods for inhibiting choline metabolism, e.g., conversion of choline to TMA. Also disclosed herein are compounds, methods and compositions for inhibiting choline metabolism by gut microbiota resulting in reduction in the formation of trimethylamine (TMA) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO).

A process is provided for converting mevalonic acid into various useful products and derivatives. More particularly, the process comprises reacting mevalonic acid, or a solution comprising mevalonic acid, in the presence of a solid catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure to thereby form various biobased products. The process may also comprise: (a) providing a microbial organism that expresses a biosynthetic mevalonic acid pathway; (b) growing the microbial organism in fermentation medium comprising suitable carbon substrates, whereby biobased mevalonic acid is produced; and (c) reacting the biobased mevalonic acid in the presence of a solid catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure to yield various biobased products.

A process is provided for converting mevalonic acid into various useful products and derivatives. More particularly, the process comprises reacting mevalonic acid, or a solution comprising mevalonic acid, in the presence of a solid catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure to thereby form various biobased products. The process may also comprise: (a) providing a microbial organism that expresses a biosynthetic mevalonic acid pathway; (b) growing the microbial organism in fermentation medium comprising suitable carbon substrates, whereby biobased mevalonic acid is produced; and (c) reacting the biobased mevalonic acid in the presence of a solid catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure to yield various biobased products.

The invention provides heterocyclic compounds with quaternary centers and methods of preparing compounds. Methods include the method for the preparation of a compound of Formula (II):

##STR00001##

comprising treating a compound of Formula (I):

##STR00002##

with a transition metal catalyst and under alkylation conditions as valence and stability permit.