This disclosure relates to synthetic coupling methods using catalytic molecules. In certain embodiments, the catalytic molecules comprise heterocyclic thiolamide, S-acylthiosalicylamide, disulfide, selenium containing heterocycle, diselenide compound, ditelluride compound or tellurium containing heterocycle. Catalytic molecules disclosed herein are useful as catalysts in the transformation of hydroxy group containing compounds to amides, esters, ketones, and other carbon to heteroatom or carbon to carbon transformations.

The invention relates to bismuth perfluoroalkylphosphinates as Lewis acid catalysts, the compounds, and processes for the preparation thereof.

Ar.sub.xBi[OP(O)(R.sub.f).sub.2].sub.3-x(Ia),

Ar.sub.3Bi[OP(O)(R.sub.f).sub.2].sub.2(Ib).

A hydrosilylation reaction catalyst prepared from: a prescribed transition metal compound such as iron pivalate, cobalt pivalate, iron acetate, cobalt acetate, or nickel acetate; a ligand comprising t-butylisocyanide or another isocyanide compound; and a borane compound, Grignard reagent, alkoxysilane, or other prescribed promoter makes it possible to promote a hydrosilylation reaction under moderate conditions, and has exceptional handling properties and storage stability.

A catalytic process for the metal-free functionalization of sp.sup.2-carbons is described herein. The catalytic process is suitable for forming borylated alkenes, arenes and heteroarenes and comprises the use of catalysts comprising a Frustrated Lewis Pair (FLP).

A composition contains (A) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst and (B) an aliphatically unsaturated compound having an average, per molecule, of one or more aliphatically unsaturated organic groups capable of undergoing hydrosilylation reaction. The composition is capable of reacting via hydrosilylation reaction to form a reaction product, such as a silane, a gum, a gel, a rubber, or a resin. Ingredient (A) contains a metal-ligand complex that can be prepared by a method including reacting a metal precursor and a ligand.