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.

The invention relates to processes for oxygenate synthesis and homologation, to equipment and materials useful in such processes, and to the use of such oxygenate for producing olefin and polyolefin.

The invention relates to processes for oxygenate synthesis and homologation, to equipment and materials useful in such processes, and to the use of such oxygenate for producing olefin and polyolefin.

A nanocage-confined catalyst has the formula: NC-m[M(Salen1)X]-n[M(Salen2)]. NC is a material having a nanocage structure, and M(Salen1)X and M (Salen2) are active centers, respectively; each occurrence of M is independently selected from the group consisting of Co ion, Fe ion, Ga ion, Al ion, Cr ion, and a mixture thereof. Each occurrence of M is independently selected from Cu ion, Ni ion and a mixture thereof, m is 0 to 100; n is 0 to 100, with the proviso that at least one of m and n is not 0; each occurrence of Salen1 and Salen2 is independently a derivative of Shiff bases; X is an axial anion selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted acetate, substituted or unsubstituted benzene sulfonate, substituted or unsubstituted benzoate, F, Cl, Br, I, SbF6-, PF6-, BF4-, and a mixture thereof.

A nanocage-confined catalyst has the formula: NC-m[M(Salen1)X]-n[M(Salen2)]. NC is a material having a nanocage structure, and M(Salen1)X and M (Salen2) are active centers, respectively; each occurrence of M is independently selected from the group consisting of Co ion, Fe ion, Ga ion, Al ion, Cr ion, and a mixture thereof. Each occurrence of M is independently selected from Cu ion, Ni ion and a mixture thereof, m is 0 to 100; n is 0 to 100, with the proviso that at least one of m and n is not 0; each occurrence of Salen1 and Salen2 is independently a derivative of Shiff bases; X is an axial anion selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted acetate, substituted or unsubstituted benzene sulfonate, substituted or unsubstituted benzoate, F, Cl, Br, I, SbF6-, PF6-, BF4-, and a mixture thereof.

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 proceeding 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 proceeding 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 relates to processes for the reduction by hydrogenation, using molecular H.sub.2, of a C.sub.5-C.sub.20 substrate containing one or two aldehydes functional groups into the corresponding alcohols or diol, characterized in that said process is carried out in the presence of at least one catalyst or pre-catalyst in the form of a ruthenium complex having a coordination sphere of the N.sub.1P.sub.3O.sub.2, wherein the coordinating atom N and one coordinating atom P are provided by a first bidentate ligand, and the two other coordinating atoms P.sub.2 are provided by a second bidentate ligand and the coordinating atoms O.sub.2 are provided by two non-linear carboxylate ligands; and optionally of an acidic additive.

The present invention relates to processes for the reduction by hydrogenation, using molecular H.sub.2, of a C.sub.5-C.sub.20 substrate containing one or two aldehydes functional groups into the corresponding alcohols or diol, characterized in that said process is carried out in the presence of at least one catalyst or pre-catalyst in the form of a ruthenium complex having a coordination sphere of the N.sub.1P.sub.3O.sub.2, wherein the coordinating atom N and one coordinating atom P are provided by a first bidentate ligand, and the two other coordinating atoms P.sub.2 are provided by a second bidentate ligand and the coordinating atoms O.sub.2 are provided by two non-linear carboxylate ligands; and optionally of an acidic additive.

The present invention relates to processes for the reduction by hydrogenation, using molecular H.sub.2, of a C.sub.5-C.sub.20 substrate containing one or two aldehydes functional groups into the corresponding alcohols or diol, characterized in that said process is carried out in the presence of at least one catalyst or pre-catalyst in the form of a ruthenium complex having a coordination sphere of the N.sub.1P.sub.3O.sub.2, wherein the coordinating atom N and one coordinating atom P are provided by a first bidentate ligand, and the two other coordinating atoms P.sub.2 are provided by a second bidentate ligand and the coordinating atoms O.sub.2 are provided by two non-linear carboxylate ligands; and optionally of an acidic additive.