A catalyst for the synthesis of oxazolidinones, preferable polyoxazolidinones, comprising an N-heterocyclic carbene and a Lewis acid (L). The invention is also related to a process for the production of an oxazolidinone compound, preferably a polyoxazolidinone compound, by reacting an isocyanate compound, preferably a polyisocyanate compound with an epoxide compound, preferably a polyepoxide compound, in the presence of the N-heterocyclic carbene and a Lewis acid catalyst and also to the resulting polyoxazolidinone.

The present invention provides, inter alia, a multidentate ligand having the structure of: ##STR00001## Also provided are methods of preparing metal complexes from the multidentate ligand, and the metal complexes prepared by such methods. Further provided are catalysts comprising such metal complexes, and various uses of such catalysts.

The present disclosure provides, inter alia, methods for preparing formaldehyde from carbon dioxide using bis(silyl)acetals, methods for incorporating carbon derived from carbon dioxide into a complex organic molecule derived from formaldehyde using bis(silyl)acetals, and methods for generating an isotopologue of a complex organic molecule derived from formaldehyde using bis(silyl)acetals.

A new metal organic framework (MOF) series and method of synthesizing the same are disclosed which includes an organic linking ligand having the formula:

##STR00001##

and a metal ion bonded to the organic linking ligand.

Metal-organic framework (MOFs) compositions based on postsynthetic metalation of secondary building unit (SBU) terminal or bridging OH or OH.sub.2 groups with metal precursors or other post-synthetic manipulations are described. The MOFs provide a versatile family of recyclable and reusable single-site solid catalysts for catalyzing a variety of asymmetric organic transformations, including the regioselective boryiation and siiylation of benzyiic CH bonds, the hydrogenation of aikenes, imines, carbonyls, nitroarenes, and heterocycles, hydroboration, hydrophosphination, and cyclization reactions. The solid catalysts can also be integrated into a flow reactor or a supercritical fluid reactor.

Novel processes of preparing block polyester copolymers while precisely controlling the stereoconfiguration (e.g., tacticity), chemical composition and/or length of each unit (block) are provided. Block polyester copolymers featuring desirable combinations of two or more blocks featuring different stereoconfiguration (e.g., tacticity), chemical composition and/or length, including triblock, tetrablock and higher block copolymers are also provided. A novel family of organometallic magnesium complexes and uses thereof in preparing polyesters and block polyester copolymers are also provided.

In one or more embodiments, the present invention is directed to a novel method for synthesizing Mg(BHT).sub.2(THF).sub.2 catalyst, which has several advantages over previous methods. Dry toluene or pentane are not required for synthesizing the catalyst, and the reaction is done in a bulk solution of BHT and THF. Further, because the Mg(BHT).sub.2(THF).sub.2 is made in a one-step (one-pot) synthesis, the time required for synthesizing and drying the catalyst is reduced. Using the new method of the present invention, the Mg(BHT).sub.2(THF).sub.2 is pure after removing excess THF, thereby eliminating the need for washes and recrystallization.

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a mode of asymmetric induction in radical processes based on enhanced hydrogen-bonding capability and the situation of metal centers in cavity-like chiral environments. Also disclosed is an asymmetric system for stereoselective synthesis of cyclopropane and aziridine derivatives. The disclosed Co(II)-based metalloradical system has been shown to have an unusual capability of controlling both the degree and sense of asymmetric induction in cyclopropanation and aziridination reactions in a systematic manner. The disclosed system is applicable to a broad scope of substrates having diazo or azido moieties and exhibits a remarkable profile of reactivity and selectivity, providing access to cyclopropane diastereomers and aziridine enantiomers in highly enantioenriched forms. Also disclosed are catalysts useful in the disclosed processes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Novel processes of preparing block polyester copolymers while precisely controlling the stereoconfiguration (e.g., tacticity), chemical composition and/or length of each unit (block) are provided. Block polyester copolymers featuring desirable combinations of two or more blocks featuring different stereoconfiguration (e.g., tacticity), chemical composition and/or length, including triblock, tetrablock and higher block copolymers are also provided. A novel family of organometallic magnesium complexes and uses thereof in preparing polyesters and block polyester copolymers are also provided.

The present disclosure provides, inter alia, methods for preparing formaldehyde from carbon dioxide using bis(silyl)acetals, methods for incorporating carbon derived from carbon dioxide into a complex organic molecule derived from formaldehyde using bis(silyl)acetals, and methods for generating an isotopologue of a complex organic molecule derived from formaldehyde using bis(silyl)acetals.