Pyrazine derivatives which contain one or more electron donating groups on the ring are used as catalytic metal complexing agents in aqueous alkaline environments to catalyze electroless metal plating on metal clad and un-clad substrates. The catalysts are monomers and free of tin and antioxidants.

The present invention relates to a new method to produce 2,5-dimethylphenol (2,5-DMP).

The specification describes a method for the production of a hydrochlorination catalyst, comprising the steps of: i) preparing an impregnation solution by combining a source of gold and a ligand in a solvent, wherein the solvent comprises an organic solvent; ii) impregnating a support with the impregnation solution from step (i); and iii) drying the product of step (ii) to obtain the catalyst. Also described are hydrochlorination catalysts comprising a complex of gold and a ligand of Formula (I) supported on a support. These catalysts are particularly suitable for the conversion of acetylene to vinyl chloride monomer.

Use of transition metal complexes of the formula (I) in organic light-emitting diodes

##STR00001## where: M.sup.1 is a metal atom; carbene is a carbene ligand; L is a monoanionic or dianionic ligand; K is an uncharged monodentate or bidentate ligand selected from the group consisting of phosphines; CO; pyridines; nitriles and conjugated dienes which form a complex with M.sup.1; n is the number of carbene ligands and is at least 1; m is the number of ligands L, where m can be 0 or 1; o is the number of ligands K, where o can be 0 or 1; where the sum n+m+o is dependent on the oxidation state and coordination number of the metal atom and on the denticity of the ligands carbene, L and K and also on the charge on the ligands carbene and L, with the proviso that n is at least 1, and also
an OLED comprising these transition metal complexes, a light-emitting layer comprising these transition metal complexes, OLEDs comprising this light-emitting layer, devices comprising an OLED according to the present invention, and specific transition metal complexes comprising at least two carbene ligands.

Pyrazine derivatives which contain one or more electron donating groups on the ring are used as catalytic metal complexing agents in aqueous alkaline environments to catalyze electroless metal plating on metal clad and un-clad substrates. The catalysts are monomers and free of tin and antioxidants.

A nanohybrid material includes a plurality of gold nanohybrid particles having formula (I). The gold nanohybrid particles have a gold nanoparticle (AuNPs) core and a shell of at least one fatty acid derivative at least partially disposed around the AuNPs core. The AuNPs core has a cuboidal shape and an average particle size of 20 to 60 nanometers (nm). Each R.sub.1, and R.sub.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrgon atom, and a fatty acid hydrocarbon chain having 16 to 22 carbon atoms. R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl, an alkoxy, an optionally substituted alkoxy having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and an optionally substituted alkoxyalky.

##STR00001##

The present invention deals with the synthesis and applications of new cationic compounds being useful as metal ligands. Specifically, N-alkyl/aryl substituted pyridiniophosphines are prepared and used as ligands for transition metals. The so-obtained metal complexes and their use as catalysts in chemical synthesis is also described. It also worth mentioning that N-alkyl/aryl pyridiniophosphines can be synthesized through a short, scalable and highly modular route.

An efficient method for the preparation of backbone-substituted imidazolinium salts for use as N-heterocyclic carbene ligands, e.g., for organometallic catalysts is provided. These functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene ligands are used to prepare solid-supported catalysts, e.g., for olefin metathesis.

Pyrazine derivatives which contain one or more electron donating groups on the ring are used as catalytic metal complexing agents in aqueous alkaline environments to catalyze electroless metal plating on metal clad and un-clad substrates. The catalysts are monomers and free of tin and antioxidants.

Processes for preparing supported gold nanoparticle catalysts are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the process includes adding a solution of a phosphorus compound to a solution of chloro (dimethyl sulfide) gold (I) to obtain a solution of chloro (phosphorus compound) gold (I) complex, adding the solution of chloro (phosphorus compound) gold (I) complex to a solution of silver nitrate to obtain a solution of nitro (phosphorus compound) gold (I) complex, applying the solution of nitro (phosphorus compound) gold (I) complex to a metal hydroxide support, drying the metal hydroxide support; and calcining the dried metal hydroxide support to form the supported gold nanoparticle catalyst. Supported gold nanoparticle catalysts prepared by the process and processes for oxidizing ethylene to ethylene oxide in the presence of the supported gold nanoparticle catalysts are also provided.