The invention is directed to a method for preparing a phenolic compound comprising reacting a furanic compound with a dienophile in the presence of a catalyst comprising yttrium.

Biodegradable polymers with advantageous physical and chemical properties are described, as well as methods for making such polymers. In one embodiment, a new chemical synthesis route to technologically important biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) with high isotacticity and molecular weight required for a practical use is described. The new route can utilize racemic eight-membered cyclic diolide (rac-DL), meso-DL, or a rac-DL and meso-DL mixture, derived from bio-sourced dimethyl succinate, and enantiomeric (R,R)-DL and (S,S)-DL, optically resolved by metal-based catalysts. With a stereoselective racemic molecular catalyst, the ROP of rac-DL under ambient conditions produces rapidly P3HB with essentially perfect isotacticity ([mm]>99%), high crystallinity and melting temperature (T.sub.m=171 C.), as well as high molecular weight and low dispersity (M.sub.n=1.5410.sup.5 g/mol, =1.01).

A molecular building block composition can include a metal ion component; and a ligand component including a core including at least one functional group associated with the metal ion component and the core.

A nanofibrous catalyst for in the electrolyzer and methods of making the catalyst. The catalysts are composed of highly porous transition metal carbonitrides, metal oxides or perovskites derived from the metal-organic frameworks and integrated into a 3D porous nano-network electrode architecture. The catalysts are low-cost, highly active toward OER, with excellent conductivity yet resistant to the oxidation under high potential operable under both acidic and alkaline environments.

The invention is directed to a method for preparing a phenolic compound comprising reacting a furanic compound with a dienophile in the presence of a catalyst comprising yttrium.

An ethylene/butadiene copolymer comprising statistically distributed ethylene units and butadiene units is provided. The molar fraction of the ethylene units in the copolymer is greater than or equal to 50%, relative to the total number of moles of ethylene and butadiene units. The microstructure of the copolymer is homogeneous.

A process for preparing such a copolymer and also the uses of this copolymer, in particular in rubber compositions for tires is also provided.

A 1,2-regioselective organolanthanide-catalyzed azine dearomatization process using pinacolborane is disclosed.

A catalytic compound of formula I, II, or III is described; wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu; R.sup.1, N is an integer from 1 to 3; R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are independently selected from lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, C.sub.5-C.sub.8 aryl, and NR.sup.6.sub.2, wherein R.sup.6 is CH.sub.3 or C.sub.2H.sub.5; and R.sup.5 is selected from H, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, and benzylic. Methods of using the compound to catalyze the formation of polylactides, and polylactides prepared using these methods are also described.

A molecular building block composition can include a metal ion component; and a ligand component including a core including at least one functional group associated with the metal ion component and the core.

A nanofibrous catalyst for in the electrolyzer and methods of making the catalyst. The catalysts are composed of highly porous transition metal carbonitrides, metal oxides or perovskites derived from the metal-organic frameworks and integrated into a 3D porous nano-network electrode architecture. The catalysts are low-cost, highly active toward OER, with excellent conductivity yet resistant to the oxidation under high potential operable under both acidic and alkaline environments.