A complex of formula (I) ##STR00001## wherein M is zirconium or hafnium; each X independently is a sigma ligand; L is a divalent bridge selected from —R′.sub.2C—, —R′.sub.2C—CR′.sub.2—, —R′.sub.2Si—, —R′.sub.2Si—SiR′.sub.2—, —R′.sub.2Ge—, wherein each R′ is independently a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-C.sub.20-hydrocarbyl .group optionally containing one or more silicon atoms or heteroatoms of Group 14-16 of the periodic table or fluorine atoms, and optionally two R′ groups taken together can form a ring; R.sup.2 and R.sup.2′ are each independently a C.sub.1-C.sub.20 hydrocarbyl group, —OC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group or —SC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group; R.sup.5 is a —OC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group or —SC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group, said R.sup.5 group being optionally substituted by one or more halo groups; R.sup.5′ is hydrogen or a C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group; —OC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group or —SC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group; said C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group being optionally substituted by one or more halo groups; R.sup.6 and R.sup.6′ are each independently a C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group; —OC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group or —SC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group; each R.sup.1 and R.sup.1′ are independently —CH.sub.2R.sup.x wherein R.sup.x are each independently H, or a C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group, optionally containing heteroatoms.

The present invention is related to a catalytic process, which includes catalytic compositions for depolymerisation and deoxygenation of lignin contained in the biomass for obtaining aromatic hydrocarbons. The catalytic composition consists of at least one non-noble element from group VIIIB of the periodic table supported on a mesoporous matrix composed of an inorganic oxide, which can be alumina surface-modified with a second inorganic oxide with the object of inhibiting the interaction between the active component and the support. The process of lignin depolymerisation consists of dissolving lignin in a mixture of protic liquids, reacting it|a reaction system by batch or in continuous flow at inert and/or reducing atmosphere, at a temperature of between 60 to 320° C. and a pressure of from 5 to 90 kg/cm.sup.2. When the reaction is developed into a batch system, oxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are mainly produced, both by thermal as well as catalytic depolymerisation, whereas in a continuous flow reaction system, deoxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are produced.

The present invention is related to a catalytic process, which includes catalytic compositions for depolymerisation and deoxygenation of lignin contained in the biomass for obtaining aromatic hydrocarbons. The catalytic composition consists of at least one non-noble element from group VIIIB of the periodic table supported on a mesoporous matrix composed of an inorganic oxide, which can be alumina surface-modified with a second inorganic oxide with the object of inhibiting the interaction between the active component and the support. The process of lignin depolymerisation consists of dissolving lignin in a mixture of protic liquids, reacting it|a reaction system by batch or in continuous flow at inert and/or reducing atmosphere, at a temperature of between 60 to 320° C. and a pressure of from 5 to 90 kg/cm.sup.2. When the reaction is developed into a batch system, oxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are mainly produced, both by thermal as well as catalytic depolymerisation, whereas in a continuous flow reaction system, deoxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are produced.

The present invention is related to a catalytic process, which includes catalytic compositions for depolymerisation and deoxygenation of lignin contained in the biomass for obtaining aromatic hydrocarbons. The catalytic composition consists of at least one non-noble element from group VIIIB of the periodic table supported on a mesoporous matrix composed of an inorganic oxide, which can be alumina surface-modified with a second inorganic oxide with the object of inhibiting the interaction between the active component and the support. The process of lignin depolymerisation consists of dissolving lignin in a mixture of protic liquids, reacting it|a reaction system by batch or in continuous flow at inert and/or reducing atmosphere, at a temperature of between 60 to 320° C. and a pressure of from 5 to 90 kg/cm.sup.2. When the reaction is developed into a batch system, oxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are mainly produced, both by thermal as well as catalytic depolymerisation, whereas in a continuous flow reaction system, deoxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are produced.

A method for manufacturing 1,4-bis(4-phenoxybenzoyl)benzene, including: providing a solvent, a Lewis acid, a first reactant and a second reactant, wherein the first reactant and the second reactant are respectively terephthaloyl chloride and diphenyl ether, or reversely; mixing the first reactant in the solvent to make a starting mixture; and, adding the second reactant to the starting mixture; wherein the Lewis acid is mixed, at least partly, to the starting mixture before adding the second reactant to the starting mixture, and/or wherein the Lewis acid is mixed, at least partly, with the second reactant and added together to the starting mixture, and wherein the temperature of the starting mixture is greater than 5° C. during at least part of the step of adding the second reactant to the starting mixture; so as to obtain a product mixture comprising a 1,4-bis(4-phenoxybenzoyl)benzene-Lewis acid complex.

Described herein are double-strand chain compositions suitable for use in the preparation of proton conductive membranes. The double-strand chains comprise a plurality of constitutional units joined to each other through two atoms on one side of the constitutional unit and two atoms on the other side of the constitutional unit. Constitutional units comprise a dibenzo-crown ether macrocycle fused with a bicyclic aliphatic linker. Polymers, membranes, and fuel cells comprising the double-strand chain are also described herein.

A bifunctional catalyst for example for conversion of oxygenates, the bifunctional catalyst comprising zeolite, alumina binder, Zn and P, wherein Zn is present at least partly as ZnAl.sub.2O.sub.4.

A bifunctional catalyst for example for conversion of oxygenates, the bifunctional catalyst comprising zeolite, alumina binder, Zn and P, wherein Zn is present at least partly as ZnAl.sub.2O.sub.4.

A bifunctional catalyst for example for conversion of oxygenates, said bifunctional catalyst comprising zeolite, alumina binder, Zn and P, wherein Zn is present at least partly as ZnAl.sub.2O.sub.4.

A bifunctional catalyst for example for conversion of oxygenates, said bifunctional catalyst comprising zeolite, alumina binder, Zn and P, wherein Zn is present at least partly as ZnAl.sub.2O.sub.4.