Compositions of manganese accumulating plants.

[Mn.sub.3SrO.sub.4] cluster compounds are synthesized in a single step from raw materials consisting of simple and inexpensive Mn.sup.2+, Sr.sup.2+ inorganic compounds and carboxylic acids by using permanganate anion as oxidant. This step can be followed by the synthesis of asymmetric biomimetic water splitting catalyst [Mn.sub.4SrO.sub.4] cluster compounds in the presence of water. The [Mn.sub.4SrO.sub.4] cluster compound can catalyze the splitting of water in the presence of an oxidant to release oxygen gas. The neutral [Mn.sub.3SrO.sub.4](R.sub.1CO.sub.2)6(R.sub.1CO.sub.2H).sub.3 cluster compound can serve as precursors for the synthesis of biomimetic water splitting catalysts, and can be utilized in the synthesis of different types of biomimetic water splitting catalysts. [Mn.sub.4SrO.sub.4](R.sub.1CO.sub.2).sub.8(L.sub.1)(L.sub.2)(L.sub.3)(L.sub.4) cluster compounds can serve as artificial water splitting catalysts, can be utilized on the surface of an electrode or in the catalyzed splitting of water driven by an anoxidant.

Disclosed herein is a method for selectively reducing, using electrical energy, CO.sub.2 to carbon monoxide or formic acid, a catalyst for use in the method, and an electrochemical reduction system. The method for producing carbon monoxide or 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):

##STR00001##

The present invention relates to the field of polymerisation catalysts, and systems comprising these catalysts for polymerising carbon dioxide and an epoxide, a lactide and/or lactone, and/or an epoxide and an anhydride. The catalyst is of formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein at least one of M.sub.1 or M.sub.2 is selected from Ni(II) and Ni(III)-X. A process for the reaction of carbon dioxide with an epoxide; an epoxide and an anhydride; and/or a lactide and/or a lactone in the presence of the catalyst is also described.

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.

A method and composition for reducing halogenated decomposition byproducts and precursors of the byproducts in the water and air of an aquatic facility. The composition contains a water soluble metal-porphyrin catalyst that accelerates oxidation of the halogenated decomposition byproducts and their precursors. The catalyst remains stable and only requires replenishment relative to the makeup water added to the treated aquatic facility. The average time interval of replenishment can be measured in weeks or months.

The use, after heat treatment, of manganese accumulating plants for carrying out chemical reactions.

A liquid phase selective oxidation process is described. The process involves the partial oxidation of alkanes to partially oxidized products. A lower alkane, a solvent, and a soluble metal catalyst are contacted in the presence of an oxidizing agent in a reaction zone under partial oxidation conditions to produce the partially oxidized products. The partially oxidized products include one or more of lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl ketones, and lower alkyl acetates. The soluble metal catalyst is a soluble metal salt of cobalt, manganese, chromium, titanium, copper, nickel, vanadium, iron, molybdenum, tin, cerium, zirconium, or combinations thereof, and the promoter comprises a bromine source, an imide source, or combinations thereof.

Among other things, the present invention encompasses the applicant's recognition that epoxide carbonylation can be performed industrially utilizing syngas streams containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and varying amounts carbon dioxide. Contrary to expectation, the epoxide carbonylation reaction proceeds selectively in the presence of these mixed gas streams and incorporates excess CO in the syngas stream into valuable chemical precursors, resulting in hydrogen streams substantially free of CO. This is economically and environmentally preferable to performing WSGR which releases the excess carbon as CO2. The integrated processes herein therefore provide improved carbon efficiency for processes based on coal or biomass gasification or steam methane reforming.

A method for synthesizing 4-(Hydroxymethyl)benzoic acid using P-xylene (PX) as a raw material, including: dissolving PX in an organic solvent to undergo an oxidation reaction with an oxidizing agent under an action of an M-MOF catalyst; and after the oxidation reaction, performing a post-treatment to obtain the 4-(Hydroxymethyl)benzoic acid; wherein, the metal element M in the M-MOF catalyst is Fe, Cu, Cr, Mn, Cu/Fe, Cu/Cr, Cu/Mn, Fe/Mn, Cr/Fe or Cr/Mn. The by-product produced in the reaction process is little, the yield is high, and the separation is convenient. The acid-base neutralization is not required in the reaction process, reducing pollution. A one-step reaction is employed which has mild reaction conditions, short reaction time, low pollution and is convenient for industrialized mass production; and the obtained 4-(Hydroxymethyl)benzoic acid can be used for preparing medicines and liquid crystal materials having wide applications.