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 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.

Methods for the solvent-free depolymerization of a polyamide are provided which, in embodiments, comprise combining a polyamide and a lanthanide-organic catalyst comprising a lanthanide metal bound to at least one ligand, to depolymerize the polyamide to a product, wherein the at least one ligand is selected from benzyl and those having a formula -EH.sub.m(XR.sub.n).sub.2. In this formula, E is selected from N, P, C, Si, Ge, and Sn; X is selected from H, N, P, C, Si, Ge, and Sn; R is selected from H, alkyl, aryl, alkoxyl, silyl, germyl, and stannyl; wherein if E is N or P, then m=0 and if E is C, Si, Ge, or Sn, then m=1; and further wherein n is from 2 to 3.

Provided is a chelate complex comprising (a) a rare earth metal cation M; (b) a chelate ligand of formula (CL1 A) or (CL1 B) c) at least one anionic nucleophilic ligand LN which is coordinated as a further ligand to the rare earth metal cation; and d) optionally one or more neutral donor ligands LD coordinated as ligands to the rare earth metal cation. Moreover, provided are a process for the preparation of a chelate complex, a process for the preparation of a polymer comprising a polymerization reaction of chiral cyclic ester monomers, and a poly(3-hydroxy butyrate) polymer which can be provided by the process.

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