A method for the production of hydrocarbon(s), such as methane, substituted hydrocarbons, such as methanol, or the production of hydrogen, the method comprising the steps of contacting a first catalyst with water in order to photocatalyse the splitting of at least some of the water into hydrogen and oxygen; and contacting a second catalyst with a gas stream comprising carbon dioxide and at least some of the hydrogen produced from step (a) in order to photocatalyse the reaction between the hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce hydrocarbon(s), such as methane, and/or substituted hydrocarbons, such as methanol. In an embodiment, the catalyst comprises gold and or ruthenium nanoclusters supported on a substrate.

A method for the production of hydrocarbon(s), such as methane, substituted hydrocarbons, such as methanol, or the production of hydrogen, the method comprising the steps of contacting a first catalyst with water in order to photocatalyse the splitting of at least some of the water into hydrogen and oxygen; and contacting a second catalyst with a gas stream comprising carbon dioxide and at least some of the hydrogen produced from step (a) in order to photocatalyse the reaction between the hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce hydrocarbon(s), such as methane, and/or substituted hydrocarbons, such as methanol. In an embodiment, the catalyst comprises gold and or ruthenium nanoclusters supported on a substrate.

Catalysts and methods for the selective conversion of carbon dioxide and hydrogen into methanol using heat and high pressure in a hydrogenation reactor are disclosed. Key to this process are catalysts, which are comprised of multimetallic, aluminum oxide-supported nanoparticles. In some embodiments of the invention, the catalytic nanoparticles are made from mixtures of zinc and copper, or mixtures of palladium and copper, in different stoichiometric equivalents. In others, stoichiometric additives or dopants are added in order to improve the rate of product formation, improve selectivity, or allow for flow configurations. Methods for the use of these catalysts for the synthesis of methanol, and for the purification of CO.sub.2, H.sub.2, or CO gas streams by transforming contaminants into liquid methanol are also described.

Catalysts and methods for the selective conversion of carbon dioxide and hydrogen into methanol using heat and high pressure in a hydrogenation reactor are disclosed. Key to this process are catalysts, which are comprised of multimetallic, aluminum oxide-supported nanoparticles. In some embodiments of the invention, the catalytic nanoparticles are made from mixtures of zinc and copper, or mixtures of palladium and copper, in different stoichiometric equivalents. In others, stoichiometric additives or dopants are added in order to improve the rate of product formation, improve selectivity, or allow for flow configurations. Methods for the use of these catalysts for the synthesis of methanol, and for the purification of CO.sub.2, H.sub.2, or CO gas streams by transforming contaminants into liquid methanol are also described.

Catalysts and methods for the selective conversion of carbon dioxide and hydrogen into methanol using heat and high pressure in a hydrogenation reactor are disclosed. Key to this process are catalysts, which are comprised of multimetallic, aluminum oxide-supported nanoparticles. In some embodiments of the invention, the catalytic nanoparticles are made from mixtures of zinc and copper, or mixtures of palladium and copper, in different stoichiometric equivalents. In others, stoichiometric additives or dopants are added in order to improve the rate of product formation, improve selectivity, or allow for flow configurations. Methods for the use of these catalysts for the synthesis of methanol, and for the purification of CO.sub.2, H.sub.2, or CO gas streams by transforming contaminants into liquid methanol are also described.

Processes are disclosed for the conversion of a carbohydrate source to hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) and to intermediates useful for the production of hexamethylenediamine and other industrial chemicals. HMDA is produced by direct reduction of a furfural substrate to 1,6-hexanediol in the presence of hydrogen and a heterogeneous reduction catalyst comprising Pt or by indirect reduction of a furfural substrate to 1,6-hexanediol wherein 1,2,6-hexanetriol is produced by reduction of the furfural substrate in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst comprising Pt and 1,2,6-hexanediol is then converted by hydrogenation in the presence of a catalyst comprising Pt to 1,6 hexanediol, each process then proceding to the production of HMDA by known routes, such as amination of the 1,6 hexanediol. Catalysts useful for the direct and indirect production of 1,6-hexanediol are also disclosed.

Processes are disclosed for the conversion of a carbohydrate source to hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) and to intermediates useful for the production of hexamethylenediamine and other industrial chemicals. HMDA is produced by direct reduction of a furfural substrate to 1,6-hexanediol in the presence of hydrogen and a heterogeneous reduction catalyst comprising Pt or by indirect reduction of a furfural substrate to 1,6-hexanediol wherein 1,2,6-hexanetriol is produced by reduction of the furfural substrate in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst comprising Pt and 1,2,6-hexanediol is then converted by hydrogenation in the presence of a catalyst comprising Pt to 1,6 hexanediol, each process then proceding to the production of HMDA by known routes, such as amination of the 1,6 hexanediol. Catalysts useful for the direct and indirect production of 1,6-hexanediol are also disclosed.

The present invention refers to a process for converting a feed gas stream comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen as major components (synthesis gas) into higher (C.sub.3+) alcohols making use of a catalyst combination of a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst and an olefin hydroformylation catalyst. In a second aspect, the invention relates to a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst suitable to be applied in said process.

The present invention refers to a process for converting a feed gas stream comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen as major components (synthesis gas) into higher (C.sub.3+) alcohols making use of a catalyst combination of a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst and an olefin hydroformylation catalyst. In a second aspect, the invention relates to a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst suitable to be applied in said process.

A compound having formula I that is useful for CO reduction is provided:

##STR00001##

wherein:
M is a transition metal;
X.sub.1, X.sub.2 are each independently a counterion; and
R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 are each independently H, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.6-15 aryl, or C.sub.6-15 heteroaryl.