A catalyst for synthesis of lactic acid and it derivatives is provided. The catalyst includes SnY2.mH2O and at least one of NH4X or quaternary ammonium salts, wherein X and Y are selected from F—, Cl—, Br—, I—, CH3SO3—, C6H5SO3—, CH3C6H4SO3— or CN—, m represents an integer of 1 to 15. A method for synthesis of lactic acid and it derivatives with the above catalyst is also provided. By using the above catalyst and method, it is capable of converting carbohydrate-containing raw material to lactic acid and its derivatives directly in a more efficient and economical way.

This disclosure relates to a method for preparing alkyl lactate with high yield and high selectivity, comprising the step of reacting glycerol with water or alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. In addition, the present invention provides a method for efficiently preparing lactamide using the alkyl lactate.

A catalytic process for dehydration of an aliphatic C2-C6 alcohol to its corresponding olefin is disclosed. The process continuously flows through a reaction zone a liquid phase containing an aliphatic C2-C6 alcohol to contact a non-volatile acid catalyst at a reaction temperature and pressure to at least partially convert the aliphatic C2-C6 alcohol in the liquid phase to its corresponding olefin. The reaction pressure is greater than atmospheric pressure and the reaction temperature is above the boiling point of the olefin at reaction pressure, but below the critical temperature of the alcohol, and the olefin product is substantially in the gaseous phase. After the contacting step, the olefin containing gaseous phase is separated from the liquid phase. The invention also relates to catalytic processes such as a hydrolysis of an olefin to an alcohol, an esterification, a transesterification, a polymerization, an aldol condensation or an ester hydrolysis.

Provided is a method for producing n-propyl acetate, which is capable of obtaining high-purity allyl acetate with a low amount of coexisting water and is capable of producing n-propyl acetate with a high yield. The method includes an extraction process of subjecting a raw material liquid containing allyl acetate and water to an extraction operation using water as an extraction solvent and separating the extract into an oily phase and an aqueous phase, a distillation process of distilling the oily phase to obtain a distillate containing allyl acetate as a main component, and a hydrogenation process of subjecting the distillate to a hydrogenation reaction.

The invention relates to fatty acid acylated salicylate derivatives; compositions comprising an effective amount of a fatty acid acylated salicylate derivative; and methods for treating or preventing an inflammatory disorder comprising the administration of an effective amount of a fatty acid acylated salicylate derivative.

A surface modifying composition comprises an amphiphilic compound which is non-cellulose based, the amphiphilic compound including a covalently linked ionic moiety with the following formula: where M=metal oxide or binary metal oxide, Ai is selected from compounds with surface energy greater than or equal to 25 dynes cm−1, A2 is selected from compounds with surface energy greater than or equal to 12 dynes cm−1, A3 is selected from compounds having more than one reactive functional group, x=NH2, NHR' or NR'2 (R'=methyl, ethyl, propyl or isopropyl), y=COOH, SO3H or PO3H, and R=H or halogen; and where one of the A1-x, A2, or A3-y may be replaced by a second O—R.

Disclosed herein are methods for recovering diphosphite-containing compounds from mixtures comprising organic mononitriles and organic dinitriles, using liquid-liquid extraction. Also disclosed are treatments to enhance extractability of the diphosphite-containing compounds.

A method of manufacturing a water repellent film includes, before a formation step of forming an organic film on a substrate using a silane coupling agent by a vapor phase deposition method under film formation conditions, a step of specifying the film formation conditions using a test substrate of a same material as the substrate used in the formation step. The film formation condition specifying step includes: specifying film formation temperature to be not lower than a temperature at which the silane coupling agent evaporates and to be lower than a temperature at which the silane coupling agent bumps; and forming an organic film of the silane coupling agent on the test substrate at the specified film formation temperature, measuring by optical microscopic observation a time at which a bead of surplus water repellent material is formed, and specifying the film formation duration to be shorter than the measured time.

The invention relates to a method for producing monocarboxy-functionalized dialkylphosphinic acids, esters, and salts, characterized in that a) a phosphinic acid source (I) is reacted with olefins (IV) in the presence of a catalyst A to obtain an alkylphosphonous acid, the salt or ester (II) thereof, and b) the obtained alkylphosphonous acid, the salt or ester (II) thereof is reacted with an oxidizing agent or with an oxidizing agent and water or with oxygen and water in the presence of a catalyst B to obtain the alkylphosphonic acid derivative (III), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 are identical or different from each other and independently represent, inter alia, H, C1-C18-alkyl, C6-C18-aryl, C6-C18-aralkyl, C6-C18-alkylaryl, X and Y are identical or different from each other and independently represent H, C1-C18-alkyl, C6-C18-aryl, C6-C18-aralkyl, C6-C18-alkylaryl, Mg, Ca, Al, Sb, Sn, Ge, Ti, Fe, Zr, Zn, Ce, Bi, Sr, Mn, Cu, Ni, Li, Na, K and/or a protonated nitrogenous base, and catalysts A and B are transition metals and/or transition metal compounds and/or catalyst systems composed of a transition metal and/or a transition metal compound and at least one ligand.

Provided are a coating composition for low refractive layer including fluorine-containing compound of the following Chemical Formula 1, an anti-reflection film using the same, and a polarizer and an image display device including the same, wherein the fluorine-containing compound of the following Chemical Formula 1 has a low refractive index of 1.28 to 1.40, thereby making it possible to easily adjust a refractive index of the anti-reflection film and be usefully used as a coating material of the anti-reflection film having an excellent mechanical property such as durability, or the like.

A dual end glycerol (meth)acrylate-modified silicone having formula (I): R1Me2SiO(R22SiO)aSiMe2R1 is novel. R1 is a mixture of 70-95 mol % of a group having formula (i) and 30-5 mol % of a group having formula (ii) wherein R3 is H or methyl, R2 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group which may be halogenated, Me stands for methyl, and a is an integer of 10-300.

Compounds of the formula where R1 each individually is identical or different and is a hydrocarbon radical, R2 each individually is hydrogen or a methyl radical, n is an integer from 6 to 11, and m is 0 or 1, with the proviso that the sum of the number of carbon atoms in the three radicals R1 in the compound of the formula (I) is 6 to 24, can be admixed with curable polymer compositions to form products with hydrophilic surfaces, or can be applied to surfaces to render them hydrophilic.

Substrates, surfaces, assemblies, kits, compositions, and methods are provided for forming touch screens and other appliance surfaces exhibiting good hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, and abrasion resistance. Methods are provided for increasing a population density of hydroxyl groups on a touch surface of a touch screen substrate without affecting the compressive strength of the back surface. The treated touch surface of the substrate can then be coated with a coating that includes an organo-metallic and/or silane, for example, a fluorosilane such as a perfluoropolyether alkoxysilane. A substrate can retain its compressive resistance to breakage by impact applied to the touch surface while minimizing any decrease in compressive strength against impact against the touch surface. Examples of such substrates include touch screens for mobile and desktop electronic devices, components of 3D display devices, and components for electrowetting display devices.

The invention relates to a method for producing mono-aminofunctionalized dialkylphosphinic acids and esters and salts thereof by means of acrylnitriles, characterized in that a) a phosphinic acid source (I) is reacted with olefins (IV) to yield an alkylphosphonic acid, salt or ester (II) thereof in the presence of a catalyst A, b) the thus obtained alkylphosphonic acid, salt or ester (II) thereof is reacted with an acrylnitrile of formula (V) to yield a mono-functionalized dialkylphosphinic acid derivative (VI) in the presence of a catalyst B, and c) the thus obtained mono-functionalized dialkylphosphinic acid derivative (VI) is reacted to yield a mono-aminofunctionalized dialkylphosphinic acid derivative (III) in the presence of a catalyst C or a reduction agent, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 are the same or different and stand independently of each other, among other things, for H, C1-C18 alkyl, C6-C18 aryl, C6-C18 aralkyl, C6-C18 alkylaryl and X stands for H, C1-C18 alkyl, C6-C18 aryl, C6-C18 aralkyl, C6-C18 alkylaryl, Mg, Ca, Al, Sb, Sn, Ge, Ti, Fe, Zr, Zn, Ce, Bi, Sr, Mn, Cu, Ni, Li, Na, K and/or a protonized nitrogen base, and Y stands for a mineral acid, a carboxylic acid, a Lewis acid or an organic acid, n=an integer or fractional number of 0 to 4 and the catalysts A and C are formed by transition metals, transition metal compounds and/or catalyst systems composed of a transition metal and/or a transition metal compound and at least one ligand, and catalyst B is formed by compounds forming peroxides, peroxo compounds, azo compounds, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, alkali hydrides, alkaline earth hydrides and/or alkali alcoholates and alkaline earth alcoholates.

Apparatus and methods are provided for forming and processing multiphasic systems. In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for the manufacture of an epoxide, including reacting an olefinically unsaturated compound with an oxidant in the presence of a buffer component and a water-soluble manganese complex disposed in an aqueous phase having a first pH level in a first multiphasic system, adjusting the pH of the aqueous phase to a second pH level less than the first pH level, isolating at least a portion of the aqueous phase from the first multiphasic system, adjusting the pH of the at least a portion of the aqueous phase to a third pH level greater than the second pH level, and introducing the at least a portion of the aqueous phase into a second multiphasic system.

A substituted phenoxyethyl(isopropyl)acyloxyalkyl phosphonate having phosphorusheterocyclic ring and having herbicidal activity, with a general formula of I, wherein R represents 5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan-2-one-2-yl, or 1-oxo-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2,2,2]octan-4-yl, or 1-sulfo-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo 2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2,2,2]octan-4-yl; R1 represents H, C1-C4 alkyl, phenyl, furyl, pyridyl, or phenyl substituted with methyl, methoxyl, nitro or chloro; R2 represents H, methyl, and methyl only if R in the general formula I is 1-sulfo-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2,2,2]octan-4-yl as phosphorusheterocyclic ring; X and Y represent H, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl or trifluoromethyl, and X and Y are the same or different. The compounds according to the present invention may be used as active component of dicotyledonous broadleaf weed herbicides.

A method of manufacturing a compound or a salt thereof expressed with a formula (III) below, characterized by causing a compound or a salt thereof expressed with a formula (I) below and a compound or a salt thereof expressed with a formula (II) below to react in the presence of carbonate and copper salt or in the presence of hydroxide salt, carbonate, and copper salt.

A process for the preparation of 1,3:2,4-bis(4-methylbenzylidene)sorbitol (MDBS) and 1,3:2,4-bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene)sorbitol (DMDBS) via a dehydrocondensation reaction is disclosed. The reaction is carried out between an aldehyde and an alditol in a mole ratio of 2:1 wherein ionic fluid is used as the acidic catalyst and/or reaction medium. The ionic fluid used in accordance with the present invention is quaternary ammonium salt based ionic liquid.

Disclosed is a process to produce a dry purified carboxylic acid product comprising furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The process comprises oxidizing at least one oxidizable compound selected from the following group: 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (5-HMF), 5-HMF esters (5-R(CO)OCH2-furfural were R alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl), 5-HMF ethers (5-R'OCH2-furfural, where R'=alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl), 5-alkyl furfurals (5-R″-furfural, where R″=alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl), mixed feed-stocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF esters and mixed feed-stocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF ethers and mixed feed-stocks of 5-HMF and 5-alkyl furfurals to generate a crude carboxylic acid slurry comprising FDCA.

A process for the manufacture of dialkyl furan-2,5-dicarboxylate (DAFD) vapor composition by feeding furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (“FDCA”) to an esterification reactor and in the presence of an alcohol compound such as methanol, conducting an esterification reaction to form an esterification vapor containing DAFD, unreacted alcohol compound, 5-(alkoxycarbonyl)furan-2-carboxylic acid (ACFC), and water, and continuously passing the esterification vapor through an ACFC condensing zone, that can be integral with the esterification reactor, in which at least a portion of the ACFC in the esterification vapor is converted to a liquid phase condensate, and continuously discharging the esterification vapor from the ACFC condensing zone as a DAFD vapor. There is also a DAFD vapor composition containing DAFD, water, unreacted alcohol, and by-products.

The present invention relates to new salts of 6-(propyl-(2-thiophen-2-ylethyl)amino)tetralin-1-ol(rotigotine), their use as a medicament, for example for the treatment of CNS disorders like Parkinson Disease, RLS, fibromyalgia and/or depression, in particular through electromotive administration. The present invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations suitable for iontophoresis that provide enhanced iontophoretic delivery of rotigotine to at least one target tissue. The formulations are further characterized by good to excellent solubility of the salts in aqueous solutions.

A catalyst for an organic reaction and a method of using a catalyst in an organic reaction are provided. The catalyst for an addition or condensation reaction includes a graphene oxide including an oxygen functional group, and the catalyst is configured to promote the addition or condensation reaction by bonding the oxygen functional group with an alkali metal ion or alkali earth metal ion during the addition or condensation reaction.

Lactic acid equivalents are recovered from a starting lactide stream by catalytically racemizing a portion of the lactide in the stream at a temperature of 180° C. or below. This increases the proportion of two species of lactide (i.e., at least two of S,S-, R,R- or meso-lactide) at the expense of the third species. The racemized mixture so obtained can be separated to recover some or all of one or more of the lactide species from the remaining lactide species, by a process such as melt crystallization or distillation. Impurities in the starting lactide stream usually are retained mostly in the remaining meso-lactide, so a highly purified S,S- and/or R,R-lactide stream can be produced in this manner. Such a purified S,S- and R,R-lactide stream is suitable for polymerization to form a polylactide.

The present invention provides a diaryl sulfone compound represented by Formula (1) below: wherein R1 to R4 and R1' to R4' are the same or different; each represents hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl, or halogen; and R5 is (thio)glycidyl, acryloyl, or the like; and a method for producing the same. According to the present invention, a novel compound useful as a monomer for producing synthetic resin having a high refractive index and excellent transparency for optical materials can be efficiently produced with a simple production process, using an inexpensive material as a starting material.

Disclosed in the present invention is a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor of benzamides and use thereof. The inhibitor has good efficacy in treating diseases caused by abnormal gene expression, such as tumors, endocrine disorders, immune system diseases, genetic diseases and nerve system diseases. The histone deacetylase inhibitor of benzamides is a compound of the following general chemical structural formula (I) or a salt thereof.

A topical therapeutic hydrophobic breakable composition includes a carrier comprising (a) about 60% to about 99% by weight of at least one hydrophobic oil; (b) at least one viscosity-modifying agents selected from the group consisting of a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid and a wax; and (c) a tetracycline antibiotic, characterized in that at least part of the tetracycline antibiotic is suspended in the composition; the viscosity of the composition is at least about 30% higher than the viscosity of the carrier without the tetracycline antibiotic; and is higher than the viscosity of the hydrophobic oil and the tetracycline antibiotic without the viscosity modifying agents. The tetracycline is chemically stable in the composition for at least six months; wherein more than about 90% of the tetracycline has not broken down. The composition is packaged as a breakable foam that breaks easily upon application of shear force.

A topical therapeutic hydrophobic breakable composition includes a carrier comprising (a) about 60% to about 99% by weight of at least one hydrophobic oil; (b) at least one viscosity-modifying agents selected from the group consisting of a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid and a wax; and (c) a tetracycline antibiotic, characterized in that at least part of the tetracycline antibiotic is suspended in the composition; the viscosity of the composition is at least about 30% higher than the viscosity of the carrier without the tetracycline antibiotic; and is higher than the viscosity of the hydrophobic oil and the tetracycline antibiotic without the viscosity modifying agents; and the amount of viscosity modifying agents can optionally be reduced by at least an amount by weight that would have increased the viscosity of the carrier without the tetracycline antibiotic by at least 30%; wherein the tetracycline is chemically stable in the composition for at least six months; wherein more than about 90% of the tetracycline has not broken down; wherein when packaged in an aerosol container to which is added a liquefied or compressed gas propellant the composition affords upon release from the container a breakable foam of at least good quality that breaks easily upon application of shear force.

Bile acids and related compositions and methods of synthesis and use. More specifically, deoxycholic acid and related compositions, said compositions being free of all moieties of animal origin and free of pyrogenic moieties.

The invention provides a method for synthesizing 7-Acetyleno quinone methide compounds that is safe and inexpensive. The method avoids the need for extremely cold reaction temperatures and unlike the prior art does not require any highly explosive materials. The method comprises the steps of: a) performing a condensation reaction between 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and a secondary amine thereby forming a secondary amine quinone methide intermediate;b) removing water from the secondary amine quinone methide intermediate by azeotropic distillation;c) adding the dehydrated secondary amine quinone methide intermediate to an organic medium containing a metal acetylide to form a Mannich base intermediate; andd) adding a release agent to the Mannich base intermediate to yield a 7-Acetyleno quinone methide.

Compounds having drug and bio-affecting properties, their pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are set forth. In particular, C-17 bicyclic amines of triterpenoids that possess unique antiviral activity are provided as HIV maturation inhibitors, as represented by compounds of Formulas I, II and III: These compounds are useful for the treatment of HIV and AIDS.

The present invention is directed to a compound represented by Structural Formula (A): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The variables for Structural Formula (A) are defined herein. Also described is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of Structural Formula (A) and its therapeutic use.

Compounds having drug and bio-affecting properties, their pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are set forth. In particular, C-3 cycloalkenyl triterpenoids that possess unique antiviral activity are provided as HIV maturation inhibitors, as represented by compounds of Formulas I, II, III and IV: wherein X can be a C4-8 cycloalkyl, C4-8 cycloalkenyl, C4-9 spirocycloalkyl, C4-9 spirocycloalkenyl, C4-8 oxacycloalkyl, C4-8 dioxacycloalkyl, C6-8 oxacycloalkenyl, C6-8 dioxacycloalkenyl, C6-9 oxaspirocycloalkyl, or C6-9 oxaspirocycloalkenyl ring. These compounds are useful for the treatment of HIV and AIDS.

Provided are compounds of Formula I wherein R1, R2, Y, Z and G are as defined herein, that are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of diseases mediated by deficient levels of glucokinase activity, such as diabetes mellitus. Also provided are methods of treating or preventing diseases and disorders characterized by underactivity of glucokinase or which can be treated by activating glucokinase.

Methods for the synthesis and purification of 9-amino alkyl tetracycline compounds are described.

The present invention discloses novel process for the preparation of (2R)-2-acetamido-N- benzyl-3-methoxypropanamide of Formula I involving novel intermediates of Formula-XIX and Formula-XX.

A topical therapeutic hydrophobic breakable composition includes a carrier comprising (a) about 60% to about 99% by weight of at least one hydrophobic oil; (b) at least one viscosity-modifying agents selected from the group consisting of a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid and a wax; and (c) a tetracycline antibiotic, characterized in that at least part of the tetracycline antibiotic is suspended in the composition; the viscosity of the composition is at least about 30% higher than the viscosity of the carrier without the tetracycline antibiotic; and is higher than the viscosity of the hydrophobic oil and the tetracycline antibiotic without the viscosity modifying agents. The tetracycline is chemically stable in the composition for at least six months; wherein more than about 90% of the tetracycline has not broken down. The composition is packaged as a breakable foam that breaks easily upon application of shear force.

It is reported herein that certain muscle diseases and conditions, including forms of muscular dystrophy, are characterized by impaired insulin-dependent signaling in the muscle tissue, in essence, a form of insulin resistance. The present disclosure relates to therapeutic agents, compositions and methods for treating a muscle disease or condition characterized by impaired insulin-dependent signaling by targeting components of the defective insulin signaling pathway. The disease or condition may be treated by administering a therapeutic agent that activates the insulin signaling pathway, in particular, therapeutic agents that act post-insulin receptor to modulate intracellular effector molecules. An exemplary modulator is metformin. Metformin may be administered alone or may be coadministered with another therapeutic agent for treating the muscle disease or condition, such as a corticosteroid.

The present invention pertains to tetracycline compounds of formula (VIIa): R5*, R5*', R7r*, and R9m* are defined herein. These tetracycline compounds can be used to treat tetracycline compound-responsive states, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The invention discloses a method for producing 30-halogenated betulinic acid. Betulin is used as a raw material and selectively oxidized and halogenated to generate 30-betulinic acid, and the selected oxidation and halogenation agent has high selectivity and does not affect C-3 hydroxyl or carbon-carbon double bonds. Oxidation and halogenation are completed in one step, so the process route is short, the treatment method is simple, and the product is purified easily.

The present invention provides a compound which functions as a selective vitamin D receptor modulator and has action-selectivity or tissue-selectivity such that it does not induce hypercalcemia but causes other effects. There is provided a compound represented by formula (I), a solvate thereof or a prodrug thereof. wherein m and n each independently represent 1 or 0;R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group;Y represents an ethane-1,1-diyl group or an ethyne-1,2-diyl group; andZ1 represents a hydrogen atom and Z2 represents a hydroxyalkoxy group, orZ1 and Z2 jointly form a methylene group.

Tissue slices and whole organisms offer substantial challenges to fluorescence imaging. Autofluorescence and absorption via intrinsic chromophores, such as flavins, melanin, and hemoglobins, confound and degrade output from all fluorescent tags. An “optical window,” farther red than most autofluorescence sources and in a region of low hemoglobin and water absorbance, lies between 650 and 900 nm. This valley of relative optical clarity is an attractive target for fluorescence-based studies within tissues, intact organs, and living organisms. Novel fluorescent tags were developed herein, based upon a genetically targeted fluorogen activating protein and cognate fluorogenic dye that yields emission with a peak at 733 nm exclusively when complexed as a “fluoromodule”. This tool improves substantially over previously described far-red/NIR fluorescent proteins in terms of brightness, wavelength, and flexibility by leveraging the flexibility of synthetic chemistry to produce novel chromophores.

The invention relates to a solid pharmaceutical composition comprising solid amorphous fulvestrant, said composition being formulated in combination with a solubilizing composition. The invention also relates to a method for preparing said composition and a kit including the composition.

Novel active compound combinations comprising a carboxamide of the general formula (I) (group 1) in which A, R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in the description,and the active compound groups (2) to (23) listed in the description have very good fungicidal properties.

The present invention relates to novel active compound combinations comprising, firstly, at least one known compound of the formula (I) in which R1 and A have the meanings given in the description and, secondly, at least one further known active compound from groups (2) to (27) listed in the description, which combinations are highly suitable for controlling animal pests such as insects and unwanted acarids and also phytopathogenic fungi.

The present invention relates to compositions, in particular within a fungicide composition, which comprises (A) a dithiino-tetracarboximide of formula (I) and a further fungicidally active compound (B). Moreover, the invention relates to a method for curatively or preventively controlling the phytopathogenic fungi of plants or crops, to the use of a combination according to the invention for the treatment of seed, to a method for protecting a seed and to the treated seed.

The present invention generally relates to a method for minimizing the formation of insoluble salts of phenoxy herbicides. The method comprises (1) mixing a compatibility agent, amine salts of phenoxy acid herbicides, and a chemical containing non-amine cations in a aqueous system to form a stable and non-nozzle plugging solution; and (2) application of said stable and non-nozzle plugging solution onto target plants.

The present invention relates to compositions, in particular within a fungicide composition, which comprises (A) a dithiino-tetracarboximide of formula (I) and a further fungicidally active compound (B). Moreover, the invention relates to a method for curatively or preventively controlling the phytopathogenic fungi of plants or crops, to the use of a combination according to the invention for the treatment of seed, to a method for protecting a seed and to the treated seed.

The present invention relates to compositions, in particular within a fungicide composition, which comprises (A) a dithiino-tetracarboximide of formula (I) and a further fungicidally active compound (B). Moreover, the invention relates to a method for curatively or preventively controlling the phytopathogenic fungi of plants or crops, to the use of a combination according to the invention for the treatment of seed, to a method for protecting a seed and to the treated seed.

The present invention discloses a method of inhibiting an ethylene response in a plant, comprising step of applying to at least one portion of the plant an effective ethylene response-inhibiting amount of a H1-cyclopropene-1-propanoic acid salt (CPAS). A method of prolonging the life of a cut flower, comprising applying to the cut flower an effective life-prolonging amount of CPAS and a method for the production a CPAS, comprising steps of (i) preparing 4-bromo-4-pentenoic acid or derivatives thereof; (ii) producing 1-cyclopropene-1-propanoic acid; and (iii), converting this acid into its water soluble salt, especially its sodium salt are presented. Additionally, a new family of water soluble CPAS inhibitors for ethylene response in a plant is disclosed.

Compositions and methods, including novel homogeneous microparticulate suspensions, are described for treating natural surfaces that contain bacterial biofilm, including unexpected synergy or enhancing effects between bismuth-thiol (BT) compounds and certain antibiotics, to provide formulations including antiseptic formulations. Previously unpredicted antibacterial properties and anti-biofilm properties of disclosed BT compounds and BT compound-plus-antibiotic combinations are also described, including preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-positive bacterial infections, and distinct preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-negative bacterial infections.