A process for catalyzed reaction of CO and H.sub.2 into methanol includes the step of reacting the CO and H.sub.2 with a catalyst comprising a transition metal and at least one Lewis basic ligand together with at least one nucleophilic promoter so as to produce the methanol as a product.

The present invention provides a novel catalyst of formula (I): wherein M is selected from Zn(H), Co(II), Mn(II), Mg(II), Fe(II), Cr(III)—X or Fe(III)—X, and the use thereof in polymerising carbon dioxide and an epoxide.

Disclosed herein is a method for selectively reducing, using electrical energy, CO.sub.2 to formic acid, a catalyst for use in the method, and an electrochemical reduction system. The method for producing formic acid by electrochemically reducing carbon dioxide of the present invention includes (a) reacting carbon dioxide with a metal complex represented by formula (1), and (b) applying a voltage to a reaction product of the carbon dioxide and the metal complex represented by formula (1):

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Disclosed herein are methods for reprocessing polyurethane compositions such as polyurethane foams. The method comprises introducing a polyurethane composition into a compounding device, heating the polyurethane composition to an effective bond-exchange temperature, and compounding the polyurethane composition for an effective bond-exchange time.

The invention provides novel manganese catalysts such as [Mn(.sup.tBuPc)], which are general for the amination of all types of C(sp.sup.3)-H bonds (aliphatic, allylic, propargylic, benzylic, ethereal), including strong 1.sup.o aliphatic C—H bonds, while achieving excellent chemoselectivity, stereospecificity, and high functional group tolerance. We demonstrate the late-stage diversification of bioactive complex molecules that encompass the range of C(sp.sup.3)-H bond types, such as selective 1.sup.o C—H aminations of betulinic acid and pleuromutilin derivatives. The catalysts' unprecedented balance of reactivity and selectivity is in part attributed to its mechanism of C—H amination that lies between stepwise and concerted.

A lithium secondary battery is provided and, more specifically, a lithium secondary battery comprising a cathode catalyst including a transition metal composite having a stable structure in which four nitrogens are bonded to the transition metal as a cathode catalyst for a reduction reaction of sulfur generated during operation of the lithium secondary battery having a sulfur-containing material included in a cathode thereof, thereby improving performance and longevity of the battery.

The invention relates to a process for the carbonylation of epoxides in the presence of catalyst systems, in which the carbonylation is carried out in the presence of carbon monoxide, and wherein the catalyst system comprises a vanadium-based, chromium-based, manganese-based and/or tungsten-based compound, preferably a tungsten-based compound. The invention further relates to carbonylation products and carbonylation conversion products and to the use of catalyst systems according to the invention for carbonylation of epoxides.

Metal ion-directed carboxylic acid functionalized polyoxometalate hybrid compounds, and their preparation method and applications in catalyzing the degradation of chemical warfare agent simulants. In the synthesis, Na.sub.2MoO.sub.4, p-hydroxybenzonic acid (PHBA), alanine (Ala), KCl, transition metal cations and As.sub.2O.sub.3 as raw materials and water are used as solvent. At room temperature, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) and the prepared polyoxometalate hybrid compounds were mixed together in anhydrous ethanol and stirred, and H.sub.2O.sub.2 was subsequently added into the reaction system. The catalytic reaction for the degradation of CEES was finished within 5 min under stirring. In the catalytic hydrolysis of diethyl cyanophosphonate (DECP), the catalyst, DECP, DMF and H.sub.2O were put together and mixed fully. The prepared polyoxometalate hybrid compounds have the advantages of high conversion, high selectivity and easy recyclability in catalyzing the degradation of two types of chemical warfare agent simulant.

Disclosed are novel catalyst compositions, catalyst precursors, processes for making catalyst precursors, processes for making catalyst compositions, and processes for converting syngas. The catalytic component in the catalyst composition can comprise a metal carbide and/or a metal nitride. This disclosure is particularly useful for converting syngas via the Fischer-Tropsch reactions to make olefins and/or alcohols.

A co-deflagration process for the preparation of metallic, ceramic, or mixed ceramic-metallic particles optionally impregnated within or attached to a metallic, ceramic, or mixed ceramic-metallic support material includes mixing at least two components. Each of the components can be any of a nitrogen-rich ligand or a salt thereof, a complex or coordination polymer of the nitrogen-rich ligand or salt thereof with one of the at least one metal, and a cluster of the at least one metal, and optionally an organic or inorganic oxidant, gas generator, pyrotechnic, propellant, and/or explosive.