Author: claimsbot

1. A method for detecting genes which act together in a coordinated manner and are clustered together in a genome, said method comprising the steps of:
a) preparing, from isolated genomic DNA, a large-insert library of DNA fragments;
b) determining the DNA sequence of at least part of some of the fragments in the large-insert library to form a plurality of Gene Sequence Tags (GSTs);
c) comparing, under computer control, the DNA sequence of the GST with sequences in a database containing genes, gene fragments, DNA sequences or amino acid sequences known to be part of a cluster of genes that act together in a coordinated manner and that are clustered together on a chromosome to identify a GST that has similar structure to a gene, gene fragment, DNA sequence or amino acid sequence known to be part of a cluster of genes that act together in a coordinated manner; and;
d) using the GST having similar structure to a gene, gene fragment, DNA sequence or amino acid sequence known to be part of a cluster of genes that act together in a coordinated manner to detect a DNA fragment from the large-insert library, which DNA fragment from the large insert library contains the GST and genes which act together in a coordinated manner and are clustered together on a chromosome.
2. A method for detecting genes which act together in a coordinated manner and are clustered together in a genome, said method comprising the steps of:
a) preparing, from isolated genomic DNA, a small insert library of DNA fragments of the genomic DNA and a large insert library of DNA fragments of the genomic DNA;
b) determining the DNA sequence of at least part of some of the fragments in the small insert library to form a plurality of Gene Sequence Tags (GSTs);
c) comparing, under computer control, the DNA sequence of the GSTs or the amino acid sequence corresponding to the DNA sequence of the GSTs with sequences in a database containing genes, gene fragments, DNA, or amino acid sequences known to be part of a cluster of genes that act together in a coordinated manner and are clustered together on a chromosome to identify a GST that has similar structure to a gene, gene fragment, DNA or amino acid sequence known to be part of a cluster of genes that act together in a coordinated manner; and
d) using the GST having similar structure to a gene, gene fragment, DNA or amino acid sequence known to be part of a cluster of genes that act together in a coordinated manner to detect a DNA fragment from the large insert library, which DNA fragment from the large insert library contains the GST and genes which act together in a coordinated manner and are clustered together on a chromosome.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein step d) involves identifying, from the small insert library, the DNA fragment containing the GST having similar structure to a gene, gene fragment, DNA or amino acid sequence known to be part of a cluster of genes that act together in a coordinated manner, and using the DNA fragment of the small insert library or a portion thereof as a hybridization probe to screen the large insert library to detect a large insert DNA fragment containing genes that act together in a coordinated manner.
4. The method according to claim 2 comprising the further step of:
e) determining the sequence of the large insert DNA fragment from step d).
5. The method according to claim 2 wherein step b) further comprises the additional step of translating the DNA sequence of the GSTs to generate corresponding amino acid sequences, and wherein in step c) comparing is done on the basis of the amino acid sequence.
6. The method according to claim 2 wherein in step c) the identification of GSTs that have similar structure to genes, gene fragments, DNA or amino acid sequences known to be part of a cluster of genes that act together in a coordinated manner is done by computer assisted homology analysis.
7. The method according to claim 2 wherein the genomic DNA is obtained from a microorganism.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the microorganism is a prokaryotic microorganism.
9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the microorganism is of a genus selected from Nocardia, Geodermatophilus, Actinoplanes, Micromonospora, Nocardioides, Saccharothrix, Amycolatopsis, Kutzneria, Saccharomonospora, Saccharopolyspora, Kitasatospora, Streptomyces, Microbispora, Streptosporangium, and Actinomadura.
10. The method according to claim 8 wherein the microorganism is of a genus selected from Stigmatella, Myxococcus and Polyangium.
11. The method according to claim 2 wherein the genomic DNA is drawn from a population of uncultured microorganisms.
12. The method according to claim 2 wherein the genomic DNA is derived from a cultured microorganism.
13. The method according to claim 2 wherein the DNA fragments in the small insert library are between about 1.5 kilobase pairs (kbp) and about 10 kbp.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the DNA fragments in the small insert library are between about 1.5 kbp and about 5 kbp.
15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the DNA fragments in the small insert library are between about 1.5 kbp and about 3 kbp.
16. The method according to claim 2, wherein the DNA fragments in the large insert library are between about 10 kbp and about 300 kbp.
17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the DNA fragments in the large insert library are between about 30 kbp to about 50 kbp.
18. The method according to claim 2 wherein the genes which act together in a coordinated manner and are clustered together in a genome are associated with a pathogenicity island.
19. The method according to claim 2 wherein the genes which act together in a coordinated manner and are clustered together in a genome are associated with degradation of a compound.
20. The method according to claim 2 wherein the genes which act together in a coordinated manner and are clustered together in a genome are associated with conferring resistance to a therapeutic drug.
21. A high-throughput method for identifying a gene or gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of a microbial natural product comprising:
a) preparing, from isolated genomic DNA, a large insert library of DNA fragments of about 30 kbp to about 300 kbp;
b) determining the DNA sequence of a least part of some of the fragments in the small insert library to form a plurality of Gene Sequence Tags (GSTs);
c) comparing, under computer control, the DNA sequence of the GSTs or the amino acid sequence corresponding to the GSTs with sequences in a database containing genes, gene fragments, DNA sequences or amino acid sequences known to be involved in the biosynthesis of microbial natural products to identify a GST that has a similar structure to a gene, gene fragment, DNA sequence or amino acid sequence known to be involved in the biosynthesis of microbial natural products; and
d) using the GST having similar structure to a gene, gene fragment, DNA or amino acid sequence known to be involved in the biosynthesis of microbial natural products, or portions thereof, to identify a DNA fragment from the large insert library, which DNA fragment contains the GST and a gene or gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of a microbial natural product.
22. A high throughput method for identifying a gene or gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of a microbial natural product comprising:
a) preparing, from isolated genomic DNA, a small insert library of DNA fragments of the genomic DNA and a large insert library of DNA fragments of the genomic DNA;
b) determining the DNA sequence of at least part of some of the fragments in the small insert library to form a plurality of Gene Sequence Tags (GSTs);
c) comparing, under computer control, the DNA sequence of the GSTs or the amino acid sequence corresponding to the DNA sequence of the GSTs with sequences in a database containing genes, gene fragments, DNA or amino acid sequences known to be involved in the biosynthesis of microbial natural products to identify a GST that has a similar structure to a gene, gene fragment, DNA or amino acid sequence known to be involved in the biosynthesis of microbial natural products; and
d) using the GST having similar structure to a gene, gene fragment, DNA or amino acid sequence known to be involved in the biosynthesis of microbial natural products, or portions thereof, to identify a DNA fragment from the large insert library, which DNA fragment contains the GST and a gene or gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of a microbial natural product.
23. The method according to claim 22 wherein the microorganism from which the genomic DNA was obtained was not known to produce the natural product biosynthesis of which involves the gene cluster identified.
24. The method according to claim 22 wherein the gene or gene cluster is involved in the biosynthesis of an enediyne.
25. The method according to claim 22 wherein the gene or gene cluster is involved in the biosynthesis of a lipopeptide.
26. The method according to claim 22 wherein the gene or gene cluster is involved in the biosynthesis of a microbial natural product is a macrolide.
27. The method according to claim 22 wherein the gene or gene cluster is a polyketide synthase gene or a cluster of genes including a polyketide synthase gene.
28. The method according to claim 27 wherein the polyketide synthase gene is a modular Type 1 polyketide synthase gene.
29. The method according to claim 22 wherein the gene or gene cluster is involved in the biosynthesis of an orthosomycin compound.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein the othosomycin is an everninomicin compound or an avilamycin compound.
31. The method according to claim 22 wherein the gene or gene cluster is involved in the biosynthesis of a glycosylated lipopeptide or an acidic lipopeptide.
32. The method according to claim 22 wherein the gene or gene cluster is involved in the biosynthesis of a benzodiazepine compound.
33. A method for scanning the genome of a microorganism to identify a gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of a lipopeptide, said method comprising:
a) providing genomic DNA from a microorganism;
b) preparing a randomly generated small insert library of DNA fragments of about 1.5 kbp to about 10 kbp of the genomic DNA, and a randomly generated large insert library of DNA fragments of the genomic DNA of about 10 kbp to about 300 kbp;
c) sequencing at least part of some of the fragments in the small insert library to form a plurality of Gene Sequence Tags (GSTs) of about 300 base pairs (bp) to about 700 bp, translating the DNA sequences of the GSTs into the corresponding amino acid sequence and providing the amino acid sequence of the GSTs in computer readable form;
d) comparing, under computer control, the amino acid sequences of the GSTs with sequences in a database containing amino acid sequences known to be involved in the biosynthesis of lipopeptides to identify a GST that has a similar structure to an amino acid sequence known to be involved in the biosynthesis of lipopeptides; and
e) using the GST of step d) as a hybridization probe to screen the large insert library of genomic DNA to detect a DNA fragment containing a gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of a lipopeptide.
34. A method for scanning the genome of a microorganism to identify a gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of an enediyne, said method comprising:
a) providing genomic DNA from a microorganism;
b) preparing a randomly generated small insert library of DNA fragments of about 1.5 kbp to about 10 kbp of the genomic DNA, and a randomly generated large insert library of DNA fragments of the genomic DNA of about 10 kbp to about 300 kbp;
c) sequencing at least part of some of the fragments in the small insert library to form a plurality of gene sequence tags (GSTs) of about 300 bp to about 700 bp, translating the DNA sequence of the GSTs into the corresponding amino acid sequence and providing the amino acid sequences of the GSTs in computer readable form
d) comparing, under computer control, the amino acid sequences of the GSTs with sequences in a database containing amino acid sequences known to be involved in the biosynthesis of enediynes to identify a GST that has a similar structure to an amino acid sequence known to be involved in the biosynthesis of enediynes; and
e) using the GST of step d) as a hybridization probe to screen the large insert library of genomic DNA to detect a DNA fragment containing a gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of an enediyne.
35. A method for scanning the genome of a microorganism to identify a gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of an orthosomycin, said method comprising:
a) providing genomic DNA from a microorganism;
b) preparing a randomly generated small insert library of DNA fragments of about 1.5 kbp to about 10 kbp of the genomic DNA, and a randomly generated large insert library of DNA fragments of the genomic DNA of about 10 kbp to about 300 kbp;
c) sequencing at least part of the fragments in the small insert library to form a plurality of gene sequence tags (GSTs) of about 300 bp to about 700 bp, translating the DNA sequence of the GSTs into the corresponding amino acid sequence and providing the amino acid sequences of the GSTs in computer readable form;
d) comparing, under computer control, the amino acid sequences of the GSTs with sequences in a database containing amino acid sequences known to be involved in the biosynthesis of orthosomycins to identify a GST that has a similar structure to an amino acid sequences known to be involved in the biosynthesis of orthosomycins; and
e) using the GST of step d) as a hybridization probe to screen the large insert library of genomic DNA to detect a DNA fragment containing a gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of an orthosomycin.
36. A method for scanning the genome of a microorganism to identify a polyketide synthase gene or a gene cluster including a polyketide synthase gene, said method comprising:
a) providing genomic DNA from a microorganism;
b) preparing a randomly generated small insert library of DNA fragments of about 1.5 kbp to about 10 kbp of the genomic DNA, and a randomly generated large insert library of DNA fragments of the genomic DNA of about 10 kbp to about 300 kbp;
c) sequencing at least part of some of the fragments in the small insert library to form a plurality of Gene Sequence Tags (GSTs) of about 300 base pairs (bp) to about 700 bp, translating the DNA sequences of the GSTs into the corresponding amino acid sequence and providing the amino acid sequence of the GSTs in computer readable form;
d) comparing, under computer control, the amino acid sequences of the GSTs with sequences in a database containing amino acid sequences known to be associated with a polyketide synthase to identify a GST that has a similar structure to an amino acid sequence known to be associated with a polyketide synthase;
e) using the GST of step d) as a hybridization probe to screen the large insert library of genomic DNA to detect a DNA fragment containing a polyketide synthase gene or a gene cluster including polyketide synthase gene.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A composition comprising:
(a) CO2 from a source other than air; and
(b) a switchable solvent from by combining:
an amount of at least one R\u2032OH, water, or a combination thereof, wherein R\u2032 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, silyl, or siloxyl, and may be linear, branched, or cyclic, and may be substituted or unsubstituted;
with an amount of a compound of formula (3)
\u2003wherein
\u2003R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are independently H; a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl group that is linear or branched; a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C10 cycloalkyl group; a substituted or unsubstituted CnSim group where n and m are independently a number from 0 to 10 and n+m is a number from 1 to 10; a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group optionally containing one or more {\u2014Si(R6)2\u2014O\u2014} units; or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group optionally containing one or more {\u2014Si(R6)2\u2014O\u2014} units; R6 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or alkoxy moiety; and wherein the compound of formula (3) and the corresponding ionic liquid of formula (4) may be a monocyclic or bicyclic ring structure;
\u2003wherein the compound of formula (3) reversibly converts to an ionic liquid of formula (4)
\u2003in the presence of the CO2, wherein R is H or R\u2032 as defined above, and R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are as defined above; and
\u2003wherein the amount of the compound of formula (3) is approximately equimolar to or greater than equimolar to the amount of the at least one R\u2032OH, water, or combination thereof.
2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the CO2 is gaseous and is present at a pressure of at least 1 atm.
3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the CO2 is gaseous and is present at a pressure of greater than 1 atm.
4. The composition of claim 1, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are not hydrogen.
5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the compound of formula (3) is a monocyclic or bicyclic ring structure.
6. The composition of claim 5, wherein the compound of formula (3) is 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-1-methyl-2H-pyrimido1,2-apyrimidine (\u201cMeMTBD\u201d).
7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the ionic liquid of formula (4) is a monocyclic or bicyclic ring structure.
8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the ionic liquid of formula (4) is protonated 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-1-methyl-2H-pyrimido1,2-apyrimidine (\u201cMeMTBDH+\u201d)HOCO2\u2212.
9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one R\u2032OH is a primary or a secondary alcohol.
10. The composition of claim 1, wherein one or more of R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 is substituted with hydroxyl.
11. The composition of claim 1, wherein R\u2032 is substituted with one or more of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aryl halide, heteroaryl, cyclyl, Si(alkyl)3, Si(alkoxy)3, halo, alkoxyl, amino, amide, hydroxyl, thioether, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, carbonate, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylthiocarbonyl, phosphate, phosphate ester, phosphonato, phosphinato, cyano, acylamino, imino, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, thiocarboxylate, dithiocarboxylate, sulfate, sulfato, sulfamoyl, sulfonamide, nitro, nitrile, azido, heterocyclyl, ether, ester, silicon-containing moieties, thioester, and alkyl halide.
12. The composition of claim 1, wherein one or more of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 is independently substituted with one or more of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aryl halide, heteroaryl, cyclyl, Si(alkyl)3, Si(alkoxy)3, halo, alkoxyl, amino, amide, hydroxyl, thioether, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, carbonate, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylthiocarbonyl, phosphate, phosphate ester, phosphonato, phosphinato, cyano, acylamino, imino, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, thiocarboxylate, dithiocarboxylate, sulfate, sulfato, sulfamoyl, sulfonamide, nitro, nitrile, azido, heterocyclyl, ether, ester, silicon-containing moieties, thioester, and alkyl halide.
13. The composition of claim 1, wherein the ionic liquid is MeMTBDH+ROCO2\u2212 where R is R\u2032 and the at least one R\u2032OH comprises 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-hexanol, 1-octanol, 2-octanol, 1-decanol, or phenol.
14. The composition of claim 1, wherein the amount of the compound of formula (3) is approximately equimolar to the amount of the at least one R\u2032OH, water or combination thereof.
15. The composition of claim 1, wherein the amount of the compound of formula (3) is greater than equimolar to the amount of the at least one R\u2032OH, water or combination thereof.
16. The composition of claim 1, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are independently a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C4 alkyl group that is linear or branched.
17. The composition of claim 1, wherein R is H or alkyl.
18. A composition comprising:
(a) CO2 from a source other than air; and
(b) a switchable solvent formed by combining:
at least one R\u2032OH, water, or a combination thereof, wherein R\u2032 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, silyl, or siloxyl, and may be linear, branched, or cyclic, and may be substituted or unsubstituted;
with a compound of formula (3)
\u2003wherein
\u2003R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are independently H; a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C4 alkyl group that is linear or branched; a substituted or unsubstituted CnSim group where n and m are independently a number from 0 to 4 and n+m is a number from 1 to 4; a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C4 cycloalkyl group; a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group optionally containing one or more {\u2014Si(R6)2\u2014O\u2014} units; R6 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or alkoxy moiety; and wherein the compound of formula (3) and the corresponding ionic liquid of formula (4) may be a monocyclic or bicyclic ring structure;
\u2003wherein the compound of formula (3) reversibly converts to an ionic liquid of formula (4)
\u2003in the presence of the CO2, wherein R is H or R\u2032 as defined above, and R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are as defined above.
19. The composition of claim 18, wherein the CO2 is gaseous and is present at a pressure of at least 1 atm.
20. The composition of claim 18, wherein the CO2 is gaseous and is present at a pressure of greater than 1 atm.
21. The composition of claim 18, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are not hydrogen.
22. The composition of claim 18, wherein the compound of formula (3) is a monocyclic or bicyclic ring structure.
23. The composition of claim 22, wherein the compound of formula (3) is 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-1-methyl-2H-pyrimido1,2-apyrimidine (\u201cMeMTBD\u201d).
24. The composition of claim 18, wherein the ionic liquid of formula (4) is a monocyclic or bicyclic ring structure.
25. The composition of claim 24, wherein the ionic liquid of formula (4) is protonated 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-1-methyl-2H-pyrimido1,2-apyrimidine (\u201cMeMTBDH+\u201d)HOCO2\u2212.
26. The composition of claim 18, wherein the at least one R\u2032OH is a primary or a secondary alcohol.
27. The composition of claim 18, wherein R\u2032 is substituted with one or more of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aryl halide, heteroaryl, cyclyl, Si(alkyl)3, Si(alkoxy)3, halo, alkoxyl, amino, amide, hydroxyl, thioether, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, carbonate, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylthiocarbonyl, phosphate, phosphate ester, phosphonato, phosphinato, cyano, acylamino, imino, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, thiocarboxylate, dithiocarboxylate, sulfate, sulfato, sulfamoyl, sulfonamide, nitro, nitrile, azido, heterocyclyl, ether, ester, silicon-containing moieties, thioester, and alkyl halide.
28. The composition of claim 18, wherein one or more of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 is independently substituted with one or more of heteroaryl, Si(alkyl)3, Si(alkoxy)3, halo, alkoxyl, amino, amide, hydroxyl, thioether, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, carbonate, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylthiocarbonyl, phosphate, phosphate ester, phosphonato, phosphinato, cyano, acylamino, imino, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, thiocarboxylate, dithiocarboxylate, sulfate, sulfato, sulfamoyl, sulfonamide, nitro, nitrile, azido, heterocyclyl, ether, ester, thioester, and alkyl halide; and
substituents for R6 include one or more of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aryl halide, heteroaryl, cyclyl, Si(alkyl)3, Si(alkoxy)3, halo, alkoxyl, amino, amide, hydroxyl, thioether, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, carbonate, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylthiocarbonyl, phosphate, phosphate ester, phosphonato, phosphinato, cyano, acylamino, imino, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, thiocarboxylate, dithiocarboxylate, sulfate, sulfato, sulfamoyl, sulfonamide, nitro, nitrile, azido, heterocyclyl, ether, ester, silicon-containing moieties, thioester, and alkyl halide.
29. The composition of claim 28, wherein one or more of R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 is substituted with hydroxyl.
30. The composition of claim 18, wherein the ionic liquid is MeMTBDH+ROCO2\u2212 where R is R\u2032 and the at least one R\u2032OH comprises 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-hexanol, 1-octanol, 2-octanol, 1-decanol, or phenol.
31. The composition of claim 18, wherein the compound of formula (3) and the at least one R\u2032OH, water or combination thereof are present in approximately equimolar amounts.
32. The composition of claim 18, wherein the compound of formula (3) is present at an amount that is less than equimolar to the amount present of the at least one R\u2032OH, water or combination thereof.
33. The composition of claim 18, wherein the compound of formula (3) is present at an amount that is more than equimolar to the amount present of the at least one R\u2032OH, water or combination thereof.
34. The composition of claim 18, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are independently an unsubstituted C1 to C4 alkyl group that is linear or branched.
35. The composition of claim 18, wherein R is H or alkyl.
36. A composition comprising:
(a) CO2 from a source other than air; and
(b) a switchable solvent having switchable polarity between a polar form and a nonpolar form, wherein said switchable solvent comprises:
at least one R\u2032OH, water, or a combination thereof, wherein R\u2032 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, silyl, or siloxyl, and may be linear, branched, or cyclic, and may be substituted or unsubstituted; and a compound of formula (3)
\u2003wherein
\u2003R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are independently H; a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl group that is linear or branched; a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C10 cycloalkyl group; a substituted or unsubstituted CnSim group where n and m are independently a number from 0 to 10 and n+m is a number from 1 to 10; a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group optionally containing one or more {\u2014Si(R6)2\u2014O\u2014} units; or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group optionally containing one or more {\u2014Si(R6)2\u2014O\u2014} units; R6 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or alkoxy moiety; and wherein the compound of formula (3) and the corresponding ionic liquid of formula (4) may be a monocyclic or bicyclic ring structure; and wherein, optionally, one of R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 combines with R\u2032 to connect the hydroxyl of the at least one R\u2032OH as part of the compound for formula (3);
\u2003wherein the compound of formula (3) reversibly converts to an ionic liquid of formula (4)
\u2003in the presence of the CO2, wherein R is H or R\u2032 as defined above, and R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are as defined above, wherein the polarity of the switchable solvent is switched by the interconversion of the compound of formula (3) and the ionic liquid of formula (4).
37. The composition of claim 36, wherein the CO2 is gaseous and is present at a pressure of at least 1 atm.
38. The composition of claim 36, wherein the CO2 is gaseous and is present at a pressure of greater than 1 atm.
39. The composition of claim 36, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are not hydrogen.
40. The composition of claim 36, wherein the compound of formula (3) is a monocyclic or bicyclic ring structure.
41. The composition of claim 40, wherein the compound of formula (3) is 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-1-methyl-2H-pyrimido1,2-apyrimidine (\u201cMeMTBD\u201d).
42. The composition of claim 36, wherein the ionic liquid of formula (4) is a monocyclic or bicyclic ring structure.
43. The composition of claim 42, wherein the ionic liquid of formula (4) is protonated 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-1-methyl-2H-pyrimido1,2-apyrimidine (\u201cMeMTBDH+\u201d)HOCO2\u2212.
44. The composition of claim 36, wherein the at least one R\u2032OH is a primary or a secondary alcohol.
45. The composition of claim 36, wherein R\u2032 is substituted with one or more of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aryl halide, heteroaryl, cyclyl, Si(alkyl)3, Si(alkoxy)3, halo, alkoxyl, amino, amide, hydroxyl, thioether, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, carbonate, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylthiocarbonyl, phosphate, phosphate ester, phosphonato, phosphinato, cyano, acylamino, imino, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, thiocarboxylate, dithiocarboxylate, sulfate, sulfato, sulfamoyl, sulfonamide, nitro, nitrile, azido, heterocyclyl, ether, ester, silicon-containing moieties, thioester, and alkyl halide.
46. The composition of claim 36, wherein one or more of R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 is independently substituted with one or more of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aryl halide, heteroaryl, cyclyl, Si(alkyl)3, Si(alkoxy)3, halo, alkoxyl, amino, amide, hydroxyl, thioether, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, carbonate, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylthiocarbonyl, phosphate, phosphate ester, phosphonato, phosphinato, cyano, acylamino, imino, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, thiocarboxylate, dithiocarboxylate, sulfate, sulfato, sulfamoyl, sulfonamide, nitro, nitrile, azido, heterocyclyl, ether, ester, silicon-containing moieties, thioester, and alkyl halide.
47. The composition of claim 46, wherein one of R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 combines with R\u2032 to connect the hydroxyl of the at least one R\u2032OH as part of the compound for formula (3).
48. The composition of claim 36, wherein the ionic liquid is MeMTBDH+ROCO2\u2212 where R is R\u2032 and the at least one R\u2032OH comprises 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-hexanol, 1-octanol, 2-octanol, 1-decanol, or phenol.
49. The composition of claim 36, wherein the compound of formula (3) and the at least one R\u2032OH, water or combination thereof are present in approximately equimolar amounts.
50. The composition of claim 36, wherein the compound of formula (3) is present at an amount that is less than equimolar to the amount present of the at least one R\u2032OH, water or combination thereof.
51. The composition of claim 36, wherein the compound of formula (3) is present at an amount that is more than equimolar to the amount present of the at least one R\u2032OH, water or combination thereof.
52. The composition of claim 36, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are independently a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C4 alkyl group that is linear or branched.
53. The composition of claim 36, wherein R is H or alkyl.

1-11. (canceled)
12. An injection device comprising
a pre-filled syringe comprising
a barrel with an inner cavity in fluid communication with
a hypodermic needle attached to a distal end of the pre-filled syringe,
a piston fluid-tightly sealing a proximal end of the inner cavity and a safety device comprising
a support body for retaining the pre-filled syringe therein,
an outer body operably connected to the piston,
a needle shield,
a releasable retaining means
wherein the needle shield, the support body and the outer body are telescopable relative to each other, wherein the piston is movable in a distal direction to expel a medicament contained in the inner cavity through the hypodermic needle by a manual actuation of the outer body, wherein a telescoping movement of the outer body with respect to the support body is restricted by the retaining means when the needle shield is moved with respect to the support body in a proximal direction from an initial position towards a retracted position, and wherein the retaining means is released when the needle shield reaches the retracted position allowing for a telescoping movement of the outer body with respect to the support body to expel the medicament contained in the pre-filled syringe through the hypodermic needle, characterized in that the retaining means comprises a radial projection connected to or being an integral part of one of the support body or the outer body and a longitudinal recess formed into the other of the support body or the outer body and adapted to receive the radial projection, wherein the longitudinal recess comprises a first section and a second section separated by a web from each other, wherein the radial projection engages the first section of the longitudinal recess to prevent the telescoping movement of the outer body with respect to the support body until the needle shield has reached a retracted position, wherein the radial projection has to overcome the web before the outer body is allowed to telescope with respect to the support body, wherein a retention force required to deflect the radial projection exceeds a force required to move the needle shield with respect to the support body from the initial position to the retracted position.
13. An injection device according to claim 13, characterized in that a piston rod connected to the piston abuts the outer body or is arranged with the outer body as one piece.
14. An injection device according to claim 13, characterized in that the longitudinal recess comprises a first section and a second section separated by a web from each other.
15. An injection device according to claim 14, characterized in that the radial projection engages the first section of the longitudinal recess to restrict the telescoping movement of the outer body with respect to the support body.
16. An injection device according to claim 14, characterized in that the second section of the longitudinal recess extends over a substantial axial length of one of the outer body or the support body.
17. An injection device according to claim 13, characterized in that the radial projection engages the second section of the longitudinal recess when the retaining means are released and the radial projection moves along the second section of the longitudinal recess when the outer body is moved with respect to the support body.
18. An injection device according to claim 13, characterized in that guiding means is disposed between the needle shield and the support body that guide the telescoping movement of the needle shield relative to the support body.
19. An injection device according to claim 18, characterized in that the guiding means comprise
a guide pin connected to one of the needle shield or the support body and
a guide track formed into the other of the needle shield or the support body,
wherein the guide pin protrudes into the guide track and moves along the guide track when the needle shield is moved relative to the support body.
20. An injection device according to claim 18, characterized in that the needle shield is releasably retained in the initial position by the guide pin being retained in a start position within the guide track, wherein the hypodermic needle is surrounded by the needle shield in the initial position.
21. An injection device according to claim 13, characterized in that the needle shield is movable in the distal direction from the retracted position to an advanced position, wherein the needle shield in the advanced position surrounds the hypodermic needle after an injection.
22. An injection device according to claim 21, characterized in that the needle shield is permanently retained in the advanced position by the guide pin being retained in an end position defined by a U-shaped indent of the guide track.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A composition comprising a cross-linked polymer wherein the polymer comprises:
(a) linear chains of atoms, the atoms being independently selected from the group consisting of Si atoms and Ge atoms, wherein the chains of atoms are cross-linked to each other via a direct bond between atoms from different chains; and
(b) side chains R, the R groups being directly bonded to the atoms in the chain to complete the valance of the atoms in the chain, with the proviso that if the R groups are all independently selected from the group consisting only of a hydrogen, a halogen, an aromatic hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted aromatic hydrocarbyl group, then the degree of cross-linking involves no more than about 10% of the linear chain atoms.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the average number of the Si and Ge atoms in the linear chains exceeds 50.
3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the R groups are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen, a halogen, an alkenyl group, a substituted alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, a substituted alkynyl group, an aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a substituted aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a SiR13 group, a GeR13 group, a NR12 group, a PR12 group, an OR1 group, and a SR1 group, wherein every R1 is independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, and a substituted hydrocarbyl group, wherein the R groups are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, the R1 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group.
4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the R groups are H.
5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the degree of cross-linking is low enough that essentially no cycles are formed by the cross-linking with no more than 12 atoms in the cyclic group.
6. A method for producing films and bodies selected from the group consisting of conductor, semiconductor, and dielectric comprising:
(a) applying a liquid material onto a substrate to form an applied body, wherein the material comprises a polymer of claim 1;
(b) heating the applied body sufficiently to form an amorphous, hydrogenated body.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the heating is performed in the presence of H2 for making Si, Ge or alloys thereof; air, O2, or O3 for making corresponding oxides; or NH3 or N2H6 for making corresponding nitrides.
8. The method of claim 6 further comprising annealing by heating andor irradiating the amorphous, hydrogenated body sufficiently to at least partially crystallize andor reduce a hydrogen content of the conductor, semiconductor, or dielectric.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the irradiation is performed with a laser to perform crystallization to convert amorphous material in a substantially polycrystalline material.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein the liquid material comprises an organic solvent, a surface tension modifying agent and a compound comprising B, P, As, Sb or combinations thereof.
11. The method of claim 6 further comprising irradiating the liquid material with ultraviolet radiation simultaneously or subsequently to applying the liquid material to the substrate.
12. A method of preparing a cross-linked polymer represented by the formula I:
-(ER2)a\u2014\u2003\u2003(I)

wherein every E is independently selected from the group consisting of a Si atom and a Ge atom, the R group is independently a hydrogen, a halogen, an alkenyl group, a substituted alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, a substituted alkynyl group, an aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a substituted aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a SiR13 group, a GeR13 group, a NR12 group, a PR12 group, an OR1 group, or a SR1 group, wherein every R1 group is independently a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group wherein the R groups are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group and the R1 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, wherein the average a is a number from 2 to 1,000,000 and wherein a fraction of the R groups are replaced with cross-linking bonds between polymer chains wherein the cross-linking chains comprise -(ER2)a\u2032 polymeric chains with the R’s being independently selected from the groups above and a\u2032 is a distribution of numbers with an average from 1 to about 1000,
the method comprising:
polymerizing a reactive composition comprising monomers, wherein the monomers are either monomers represented by the formula II or monomers represented by the formula III:
X-ER2\u2014X X2RE-(ER2)c-ERX2 X2RE-(ER2)c-ER2X X2RE-(ER2)c-ER3 \u2003\u2003(II)

REH3 H3E-(ER2)c-EH3 H3E-(ER2)c-ERH2 H3E-(ER2)c-ER3 \u2003\u2003(III)
wherein every X is independently a halogen, every E is independently an Si atom or a Ge atom, every R group is independently selected as specified above, and c is a number from 0 to 100; and

reacting of the product of polymerization with a source of hydride to replace the R groups with H.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the polymerization is driven with an apparatus for conducting electrolysis or for formula II monomers with a polymerization reactant selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, NaK alloy, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Al or for formula III monomers with Cp2MH2, CpCp*MH2, Cp2M(CH3)2, CpCp*M(CH3)2, Cp2M(C6H5)2, CpCp*M(C6H5)2, Cp2M(C2H5)2, CpCp*M(C2H5)2, Cp2M(C3H7)2, CpCp*M(C3H7)2, Cp2M(C4H9)2, CpCp*M(C4H9)2, R2dR3eM, R2dR3eMf+Af\u2212, in situ synthesized analogs thereof, and immobilized derivatives thereof, wherein Cp is C5H5 cyclopentadienyl and Cp* is C5(CH3)5 pentamethylcyclopentadienyl group, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of metals and metalloids of group 3 through group 13 of the Periodic Table of Elements, lanthanides, and actinides; d and e are integer numbers from 0 to 10, f is a number from 0 to 2, every R2 is independently a SiR43 group, a GeR43 group, a NR4 group, a NR42 group, a NR43 group, a PR4 group, a PR42 group, a PR43 group, an OR4 group, a SR4 group, and a cyclopentadienyl group or substituted cyclopentadienyl group represented by the formula C5HgR45-g, the R2 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, wherein g is an integer number from 0 to 5, every R4 is independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, an OR5 group, a C(\u2550O)R5 group, a CO2R5 group, a SiR53 group, a GeR53 group, or a NR52 group; the R4 groups are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, wherein every R5 is independently a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the R5 groups are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, R3 is independently a CO group, a R6CN group, a R6NC group, a hydride group, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a SiR63 group, a GeR63 group, a NR6 group, a NR62 group, a NR63 group, a PR6 group, a PR62 group, a PR63 group, a OR6 group, or a SR6 group, the R3 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, wherein every R6 is independently a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, an OR7 group, a C(\u2550O)R7 group, a CO2R7 group, a SiR73 group, a GeR73 group, or a NR72 group, the R6 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, wherein every R7is independently a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the R7 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, and Af\u2212 is an anion selected from the group consisting of BF4\u2212, PF6\u2212, SbF6\u2212, CF3SO3\u2212, CB11H12\u2212, CB9H10\u2212, CB9H5X15\u2212, CB11H6X16\u2212, B(C6F5)4\u2212, and (M1)hZ1Z2. . . Zjf\u2212, wherein X1 is halogen, M1 is B, Al, or Ga, h is a number from 0 to 4, j is an integer number from 0 to 12, or j is 4, and Z1 through Zj are independently an H, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a halogen, a halogen substituted hydrocarbyl group, a halogen substituted hydrocarbyl organometalloid group, an OR8, C(\u2550O)R8, CO2R8, and NR82, wherein every R8 is an H, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, and a halogen substituted hydrocarbyl group, the Z1 through Zj are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the reactive composition comprises a solubilization agent selected from the group consisting of cryptands, crown ethers, encapsulating ligands, linear oligoethers, linear polyethers, compounds R9O((CR102)kO)mR9, compounds R9(NR11)((CR102)k(NR11))mR9, compounds R9N((CR102)kO)m(CR102)k2NR9, and compounds N((CR102)kO)m(CR102)k3N, wherein k and m are numbers from 1 to 20, every R9 and R11 are independently a hydrocarbyl group or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, every R10 is independently a hydride group, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the R9, R10, and R11 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein the source of hydride is selected from the group consisting of LiH, NaH, KH, LiAlH4, NaBH4, NaAlH2(OCH2CH2OCH3)2, HnM2pX2qR12r, and HnM2pM3sX2qR12r, wherein n, p, q, r and s are independently numbers from 0 to 20, M2 and M3 are independently Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, B, Al, Si, or Sn, every X2 is an independently a halogen, and every R12 is independently a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a NR132 group, or an OR13 group, wherein every R13 is independently a hydrocarbyl group or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the R12 and R13 groups are optionally substituted with a plurality of O and N atoms, the R12 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, and the R13 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group.
16. The method of claim 12 further comprising halogenating the product of polymerization prior to reacting with the source of hydride, wherein the halogenation is carried out by reacting the product of polymerization with a halogenation source, wherein the halogen source is HX3, R14(C\u2550O)X3, or a combination of HX5 with M6X3, wherein X3 is independently a halogen and X5 is OMs methanesulfonate group, OTf trifluoromethanesulfonate group, or OTs toluenesulfonate group; wherein M6 is Li, Na, K, Cs, or Rb; and wherein R14 is a hydride group, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the halogenation is facilitated by a catalytic composition comprising M4tX4u, wherein M4 is selected from the group consisting of metal and metaloid of group 3 through group 13 of the Periodic Table of Elements, lanthanides, and actinides, X4 are independently a halogen, t is a number from 1 to 5, and u is a number from 1 to 30.
18. The method of claim 12 further comprising halogenating the product of polymerization prior to reacting with the source of hydride, wherein the halogenation is carried out by reacting the product of polymerization with a halogenation source, wherein the halogen source is HX3, R14(C\u2550O)X3, or a combination of HX5 with M6X3, wherein X3 is independently a halogen and X5 is OMs methanesulfonate group, OTf trifluoromethanesulfonate group, or OTs toluenesulfonate group; wherein MN is Li, Na, K, Cs, or Rb; and wherein R14 is a hydride group, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, and
wherein the monomers are represented by the formula II without limitations or
wherein the monomers are represented by the formula III, but the R group of the monomers is not an aromatic hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted aromatic hydrocarbyl group.
19. A method for preparing a compound represented by formula IV:
HR152E-(ER152)vER152R28 \u2003\u2003(IV)

wherein v is a distribution of numbers with an average from 2 to 1000000, every E is independently selected from the group consisting of Si and Ge atoms, every group R15 is R19, R20, or R21; every group R28 is a hydrogen, a halogen, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a SiR293 group, a GeR293 group, a NR292 group, a PR292 group, a OR29 group, or a SR29 group, wherein every R29 is independently a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the groups R28 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, the groups R29 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, the groups R15 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group,
the method comprising polymerizing monomers or combination of monomers selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by formula V\u2032
wherein i is a number from 1 to 20, every G is independently an Si atom or a Ge atom except that at least one F per molecule is a Ge atom and at least one G per molecule is an Si atom with the proviso that when i=1 G can be either Si or Ge, i is a number from 1 to 20, every R17 and R18 are independently a hydrogen, a halogen, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the R17 and R18 are optionally substituted with a plurality of O atoms, N atoms or a combination thereof, the R18 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, every R19 group is independently a hydrogen, halogen, an alkenyl group, a substituted alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, a substituted alkynyl group, an aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a substituted aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a SiR223 group, a GeR223 group, a NR222 group, a PR222 group, a OR22 group, or a SR22 group, wherein every R22 is independently a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the R19 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, the R22 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, every R20 group is independently a heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a GeR233 group, a NR232 group, a PR232 group, or a SR23 group, wherein every R23 is independently a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the R20 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, the R23 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, every R21 group is independently a heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a GeR163 group, a NR162 group, a PR162 group, or a SR16 group, wherein every R16 is independently a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, and the R16 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the polymerizing step is carried out by mixing the monomer with a catalyst.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the catalyst is R24wM5, R24wM5X2, R244NF, LiAlH4, NaBH4, NaAlH2(OCH2CH2OCH3)2, HnM2pX2qR12r, HnM2pM3sX2qR12r, HX2, HBF4, HPF6, HSbF6, CF3SO3H, or CF3(CO)H, wherein n, p, q, r and s are independently numbers from 0 to 20, w is a number from 1 to 4, M2, M3, and M5 are independently selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, B, Al, Si, and Sn, every X2 is an independently selected halogen, and every R12 is independently a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a NR132 group, or a OR13 group, wherein every R13 is independently a hydrocarbyl group or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the R12 and R13 groups are optionally substituted with a plurality of O atoms, N atoms or a combination thereof, the R12 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, and the R13 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, every R24 is independently a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a SiR253 group, a GeR253 group, a NR252 group, a PR252 group, a OR25 group, or a SR25 group, wherein every R25 is independently a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the R24 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, the R25 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein the reaction is performed in the presence of a solubilization agent selected from the group consisting of cryptands, crown ethers, encapsulating ligands, linear oligoethers, linear polyethers, compounds R9O((CR102)kO)mR9, compounds R9(NR11)((CR102)k(NR11))mR9, compounds R9N((CR102)kO)m(CR102)k2N9, and compounds N((CR102)kO)m(CR102)k3N, wherein k and m are numbers from 1 to 20, every R9 and R11 are independently a hydrocarbyl group or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, every R10 is independently a hydride group, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the R9, R10, and R11 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group.
23. The method of claim 19 further comprising reacting the product of polymerization with a source of hydride, wherein the source of hydride is selected from the group consisting of LiH, NaH, KH, LiAlH4, NaBH4, NaAlH2(OCH2CH2OCH3)2, HnM2pX2qR12r, and HnM2pM3sX2qR12r, wherein n, p, q, r and s are independently numbers from 0 to 20, M2 and M3 are independently selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, B, Al, Si, and Sn, every X2 is an independently selected halogen, and every R12 is independently a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a NR132 group, or an OR13 group, wherein every R13 is independently a hydrocarbyl group or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the R12 and R13 groups are optionally substituted with a plurality of O atoms, N atoms or a combination thereof, the R12 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, and the R13 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group.
24. The method of claim 19 further comprising halogenating the product of polymerization, wherein the halogenation is carried out by reacting the product of polymerization with a halogenation agent selected from the group consisting of HX3, R14(C\u2550O)X3, and a combination of HX5 with M6X3, wherein X3 is a halogen and X5 is a OMs methanesulfonate group, an OTf trifluoromethanesulfonate group, or a OTs toluenesulfonate group, wherein M6 is Li, Na, K, Cs, or Rb, and wherein R14 is a hydride group, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the halogenation is facilitated by a catalytic composition comprising M4tX4u, wherein M4 is selected from the group consisting of metals and metaloids of group 3 through group 13 of the Periodic Table of Elements, lanthanides, and actinides, X4 is a halogen, t is a number from 1 to 5, and u is a number from 1 to 30.
26. The method of claim 24 further comprising reacting the product of halogenation with a source of hydride, wherein the source of hydride is selected from the group consisting of LiH, NaH, KH, LiAlH4, NaBH4, NaAlH2(OCH2CH2OCH3)2, HnM2pX2qR12r, and HnM2pM3sX2qR12r, wherein n, p, q, r and s are independently numbers from 0 to 20, M2 and M3 are independently selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, B, Al, Si, and Sn, every X2 is an independently selected halogen, and every R12 is independently a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a NR132 group, or a OR13 group, wherein every R13 is independently a hydrocarbyl group or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the R12 and R13 groups are optionally substituted with a plurality of O atoms, N atoms or a combination thereof, the R12 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, and the R13 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group.
27. The method of claim 19 wherein v is a distribution of numbers with an average from 8 to 100000.
28. A method for producing films and bodies selected from the group consisting of conductor, semiconductor, and dielectric comprising:
(a) applying a liquid material onto a substrate to form an applied body, wherein the liquid material comprises a composition formed by the method of claim 19;
(b) heating the applied body sufficiently to form an amorphous, hydrogenated body.
29. A method for preparing a compound represented by formula IV:
HR152E-(ER152)vER152R28 \u2003\u2003(IV)

wherein v is a distribution of numbers with an average from 2 to 1000000, every E is independently selected from the group consisting of Si and Ge atoms, every group R15 is R19, R20, or R21; every group R28 is a hydrogen, a halogen, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a SiR293 group, a GeR293 group, a NR292 group, a PR292 group, a OR29 group, or a SR29 group, wherein every R29 is independently a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the groups R28 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, the groups R29 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, the groups R15 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group,
the method comprising:
polymerizing monomers or combination of monomers selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by formula V
wherein every E is independently selected from the group consisting of Si atoms and Ge atoms, i is a number from 1 to 20, every R17 and R18 are independently a hydrogen, a halogen, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the R17 and R18 are optionally substituted with a plurality of O atoms, N atoms or a combination thereof, the R18 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, every R19 group is independently a halogen, an alkenyl group, a substituted alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, a substituted alkynyl group, an aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a substituted aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a SiR223 group, a GeR223 group, a PR222 group, a NR222 group, a OR22 group, or a SR22 group, wherein every R22 is independently a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the R19 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, the R22 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, every R20 group is independently a halogen, an alkenyl group, a substituted alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, a substituted alkynyl group, an aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a substituted aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a SiR233 group, a GeR233 group, a PR232 group, a NR232 group, a OR23 group, or a SR23 group, wherein every R23 is independently a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, the R20 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, the R23 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, every R21 group is independently a halogen, an alkenyl group, a substituted alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, a substituted alkynyl group, an aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a substituted aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbyl group, a SiR163 group, a GeR163 group, a PR162 group, a NR162 group, a OR16 group, or a SR16 group, wherein every R16 is independently a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, and the R16 are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group; and
reacting the polymer with reagents to replace R15 groups with hydrogen, wherein the reacting step comprises direct reaction with a source of hydride or first reacting the polymer to replace R15 with a halogen followed by the reaction of the halogenated polymer with a source of hydride.
30. A method for producing films and bodies selected from the group consisting of conductor, semiconductor, and dielectric comprising:
(a) applying a liquid material onto a substrate to form an applied body, wherein the liquid material comprise a composition formed by the method of claim 29;
(b) heating the applied body sufficiently to form an amorphous, hydrogenated body.