Embodiments herein concerns the eco-friendly conversion of simple alcohols to linear or branched functionalized alkanes, by integrated catalysis. The alcohols are firstlyoxidized either chemically or enzymatically to the corresponding aldehydes or ketones, followed by aldol condensations using a catalyst to give the corresponding enals or enones. The enals or enones are subsequently and selectively hydrogenated using a recyclable heterogeneous metal catalyst, organocatalyst or an enzyme to provide linear or branched functionalized alkanes with an aldehyde, keto- or alcohol functionality. The process is also iterative and can be further extended by repeating the above integrated catalysis for producing long-chain functionalized alkanes from simple alcohols.

A method of selectively reacting lignin or a lignin-derived reactant to yield an aromatic product. The method includes the step of reacting lignin or a lignin-derived reactant with a molybdenum-containing catalyst, in a solvent, and optionally in the presence of an oxidant, for a time and a temperature wherein at least a portion of the lignin or lignin-derived reactant is selectively converted into an aromatic product, preferably coniferaldehyde and/or sinapaldehyde.

A method of selectively reacting lignin or a lignin-derived reactant to yield an aromatic product. The method includes the step of reacting lignin or a lignin-derived reactant with a molybdenum-containing catalyst, in a solvent, and optionally in the presence of an oxidant, for a time and a temperature wherein at least a portion of the lignin or lignin-derived reactant is selectively converted into an aromatic product, preferably coniferaldehyde and/or sinapaldehyde.

A metal organic framework comprising zinc (II) ions and second metal ions, such as iron (II) ions, cobalt (II) ions, and copper (II) ions as nodes or clusters and coordinated 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid struts or linkers between them forming a porous coordination network in the form of polyhedral crystals that are isostructural to HKUST-1. Transmetallation processes for producing the metal organic frameworks, as well as methods for applications of the metal organic frameworks as catalysts, specifically catalysts for the oxidation of cyclic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, cyclohexane, and methylcyclohexane.

A metal organic framework comprising zinc (II) ions and second metal ions, such as iron (II) ions, cobalt (II) ions, and copper (II) ions as nodes or clusters and coordinated 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid struts or linkers between them forming a porous coordination network in the form of polyhedral crystals that are isostructural to HKUST-1. Transmetallation processes for producing the metal organic frameworks, as well as methods for applications of the metal organic frameworks as catalysts, specifically catalysts for the oxidation of cyclic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, cyclohexane, and methylcyclohexane.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to bridged phthalocyanine- and napththalocyanine-metal complex catalysts and methods of using and purifying the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of purifying a catalyst. The method includes contacting a catalyst composition with acid, the catalyst composition including a catalyst, to provide an acidified catalyst composition with the catalyst dissolved therein. The method includes precipitating the catalyst, and removing the precipitated catalyst from solution, to provide a purified catalyst.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to bridged phthalocyanine- and napththalocyanine-metal complex catalysts and methods of using and purifying the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of purifying a catalyst. The method includes contacting a catalyst composition with acid, the catalyst composition including a catalyst, to provide an acidified catalyst composition with the catalyst dissolved therein. The method includes precipitating the catalyst, and removing the precipitated catalyst from solution, to provide a purified catalyst.

A metal organic framework comprising zinc (II) ions and second metal ions, such as iron (II) ions, cobalt (II) ions, and copper (II) ions as nodes or clusters and coordinated 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid struts or linkers between them forming a porous coordination network in the form of polyhedral crystals that are isostructural to HKUST-1. Transmetallation processes for producing the metal organic frameworks, as well as methods for applications of the metal organic frameworks as catalysts, specifically catalysts for the oxidation of cyclic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, cyclohexane, and methylcyclohexane.

A submicron-sized Pickering miniemulsion system stabilized by carbon quantum dots solid nanoparticles for biphasic catalysis is disclosed, which breaks the existing limits for homogenization of the immiscible biphasic system and overcomes the issues for big size of solid particles-stabilized emulsion droplets. A method for producing the carbon quantum dot-based catalysts and a process of establishing the Pickering miniemulsion system for biphasic reaction with enhanced catalytic efficiency are also disclosed. The carbon quantum dot-stabilized Pickering miniemulsion features a pH-responsive behavior, with a reversible transition between the emulsification and demulsification, triggering the easy & facile product separation and emulsifier/catalyst recycling in one reaction vessel.

A submicron-sized Pickering miniemulsion system stabilized by carbon quantum dots solid nanoparticles for biphasic catalysis is disclosed, which breaks the existing limits for homogenization of the immiscible biphasic system and overcomes the issues for big size of solid particles-stabilized emulsion droplets. A method for producing the carbon quantum dot-based catalysts and a process of establishing the Pickering miniemulsion system for biphasic reaction with enhanced catalytic efficiency are also disclosed. The carbon quantum dot-stabilized Pickering miniemulsion features a pH-responsive behavior, with a reversible transition between the emulsification and demulsification, triggering the easy & facile product separation and emulsifier/catalyst recycling in one reaction vessel.