The invention describes phospho-amino pincer-type ligands, metal complexes thereof, and catalytic methods comprising such metal complexes for conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol, conversion of aldehydes into alcohols, conversion of aldehydes in the presence of a trifluoromethylation agent into trifluorinated secondary alcohols, cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to an epoxide to provide cyclic carbonates or preparation of an amide from the combination of an alcohol and an amine.

The invention describes phospho-amino pincer-type ligands, metal complexes thereof, and catalytic methods comprising such metal complexes for conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol, conversion of aldehydes into alcohols, conversion of aldehydes in the presence of a trifluoromethylation agent into trifluorinated secondary alcohols, cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to an epoxide to provide cyclic carbonates or preparation of an amide from the combination of an alcohol and an amine.

There is provided a process for the reduction of one or more amide moieties in a compound comprising contacting the compound with hydrogen gas and a transition metal catalyst in the presence or absence of a base under conditions for the reduction an amide bond. The presently described processes can be performed at low catalyst loading using relatively mild temperature and pressures, and optionally, in the presence or absence of a base or high catalyst loadings using low temperatures and pressures and high loadings of base to effect dynamic kinetic resolution of achiral amides.

There is provided a process for the reduction of one or more amide moieties in a compound comprising contacting the compound with hydrogen gas and a transition metal catalyst in the presence or absence of a base under conditions for the reduction an amide bond. The presently described processes can be performed at low catalyst loading using relatively mild temperature and pressures, and optionally, in the presence or absence of a base or high catalyst loadings using low temperatures and pressures and high loadings of base to effect dynamic kinetic resolution of achiral amides.

Method for treating production wastewater from the preparation of propylene oxide by co-oxidation. The wastewater includes a first portion of wastewater having a peroxide content of 2000 mg/L or more and a second portion of wastewater having a peroxide content of 50 mg/L or less.

Method for treating production wastewater from the preparation of propylene oxide by co-oxidation. The wastewater includes a first portion of wastewater having a peroxide content of 2000 mg/L or more and a second portion of wastewater having a peroxide content of 50 mg/L or less.

Methods and systems for recovering materials from streams from processes for the co-production of propylene oxide and styrene monomer. The processes may permit the recovery of products, such a mono-propylene glycol, or the recycling of products, such as α-methyl benzyl alcohol.

Methods and systems for recovering materials from streams from processes for the co-production of propylene oxide and styrene monomer. The processes may permit the recovery of products, such a mono-propylene glycol, or the recycling of products, such as α-methyl benzyl alcohol.

Provided is a solid acid catalyst for use in oxidation of a substrate in the coexistence of oxygen and ozone (solid acid catalyst for oxygen-ozone-coexisting oxidation). The solid acid catalyst enables oxidation of the substrate with a high conversion. This solid acid catalyst for oxygen-ozone-coexisting oxidation is a solid acid catalyst for use in an oxidation reaction to oxidize a substrate (A) in the coexistence of oxygen and ozone. The solid acid catalyst includes a transition metal in the form of an elementary substance, a compound, or an ion, and a support supporting the transition metal. The support includes, at least in its surface, a strong acid or super strong acid having a Hammett acidity function (H.sub.0) of −9 or less. The support is preferably a pellet or particle made of a fluorinated sulfonic acid resin, or a support including a solid and a layer of a fluorinated sulfonic acid resin disposed on the solid.

The subject invention provides synthetic compounds, and compound complexes having catalytic activities towards oxidation or oxygenation, and/or dehydrogenation of various substrates comprising C—H bonds. The catalysts of the subject invention comprise a dinuclear Cu(I)/Cu(II) center that can convert between a resting state and a reactive species. The subject invention also provides methods of using such catalysts for the oxidation of substrates comprising C—H bonds, e.g., hydrocarbons, to synthesize chemicals for use as pharmaceuticals and industrial feedstock.