A method of preparing a cyclopropane ring-bearing compound of the formula I ##STR00001##
in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected from C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, optionally substituted, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, together with the bonds linking them to the cyclopropane ring, form a monocyclic or bicyclic ring system, which may comprise at least one hetero-atom, comprising the reaction of a compound of formula II
R.sup.1CHCHR.sup.2II
in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 have the significances hereinabove defined, with a compound of formula III
XCH.sub.2YIII
in which X is a nucleofuge selected from halides and pseudohalides and Y is an electrofuge selected from boranes and borates, in the presence of a metal catalyst complex selected from those useful for catalytic cyclopropanation and those useful for catalyzing Heck coupling. The method provides a particularly easy and non-hazardous method of cyclopropanation.

A method of preparing a cyclopropane ring-bearing compound of the formula I ##STR00001##
in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected from C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, optionally substituted, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, together with the bonds linking them to the cyclopropane ring, form a monocyclic or bicyclic ring system, which may comprise at least one hetero-atom, comprising the reaction of a compound of formula II
R.sup.1CHCHR.sup.2II
in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 have the significances hereinabove defined, with a compound of formula III
XCH.sub.2YIII
in which X is a nucleofuge selected from halides and pseudohalides and Y is an electrofuge selected from boranes and borates, in the presence of a metal catalyst complex selected from those useful for catalytic cyclopropanation and those useful for catalyzing Heck coupling. The method provides a particularly easy and non-hazardous method of cyclopropanation.

A method to generate dense, multi-cyclic diamondoid fuels from bio-derived sesquiterpenes. This process can be conducted with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts and produces the targeted isomers in high yield. The resulting multi-cyclic structures impart significantly higher densities and volumetric net heats of combustion while maintaining low viscosities which allow for use at low temperature/high altitude. Moreover, bio-derived sesquiterpenes can be produced from renewable biomass sources. Use of these fuels will decrease Navy dependence on fossil fuels and will also reduce net carbon emissions.

A method to generate dense, multi-cyclic diamondoid fuels from bio-derived sesquiterpenes. This process can be conducted with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts and produces the targeted isomers in high yield. The resulting multi-cyclic structures impart significantly higher densities and volumetric net heats of combustion while maintaining low viscosities which allow for use at low temperature/high altitude. Moreover, bio-derived sesquiterpenes can be produced from renewable biomass sources. Use of these fuels will decrease Navy dependence on fossil fuels and will also reduce net carbon emissions.

A method for producing a bicyclic hydrocarbon molecule includes oxidizing a terpene molecule to provide a first intermediate compound, wherein the first intermediate compound includes an aldehyde functional group, reacting the first intermediate compound with a 1,3-diene molecule to form a second intermediate compound including the aldehyde functional group, and reducing the second intermediate compound to yield a first bicyclic hydrocarbon molecule, wherein reducing the second intermediate compound includes removing the aldehyde functional group.

A method for producing a bicyclic hydrocarbon molecule includes oxidizing a terpene molecule to provide a first intermediate compound, wherein the first intermediate compound includes an aldehyde functional group, reacting the first intermediate compound with a 1,3-diene molecule to form a second intermediate compound including the aldehyde functional group, and reducing the second intermediate compound to yield a first bicyclic hydrocarbon molecule, wherein reducing the second intermediate compound includes removing the aldehyde functional group.

A method for producing a bicyclic hydrocarbon molecule includes oxidizing a terpene molecule to provide a first intermediate compound, wherein the first intermediate compound includes an aldehyde functional group, reacting the first intermediate compound with a 1,3-diene molecule to form a second intermediate compound including the aldehyde functional group, and reducing the second intermediate compound to yield a first bicyclic hydrocarbon molecule, wherein reducing the second intermediate compound includes removing the aldehyde functional group.

A method for producing a bicyclic hydrocarbon molecule includes oxidizing a terpene molecule to provide a first intermediate compound, wherein the first intermediate compound includes an aldehyde functional group, reacting the first intermediate compound with a 1,3-diene molecule to form a second intermediate compound including the aldehyde functional group, and reducing the second intermediate compound to yield a first bicyclic hydrocarbon molecule, wherein reducing the second intermediate compound includes removing the aldehyde functional group.

A synthetic chiral composition comprising (i) pinene isomers; (ii) linalool isomers; and (iii) a terpene or terpenoid, and formulations comprising the synthetic chiral composition, in addition to methods for preparing, creating, populating, and querying databases pertaining to, and kits comprising, the synthetic chiral composition are disclosed herein. The composition further includes one or more modifiers. The composition includes organoleptic properties (e.g. aroma) of a plant cultivar (e.g. Cannabis).

A synthetic chiral composition comprising (i) pinene isomers; (ii) linalool isomers; and (iii) a terpene or terpenoid, and formulations comprising the synthetic chiral composition, in addition to methods for preparing, creating, populating, and querying databases pertaining to, and kits comprising, the synthetic chiral composition are disclosed herein. The composition further includes one or more modifiers. The composition includes organoleptic properties (e.g. aroma) of a plant cultivar (e.g. Cannabis).