Provided are a tricyclodecane dimethanol composition which may be usefully applied to the preparation of a high heat resistant polyester by reducing the content of impurities, and a preparation method thereof.

An electrocatalyst including carbon and a nanosheet supported on the carbon. The nanosheet includes a metal ruthenium nanosheet, and a platinum atomic layer formed on an entire surface of the metal ruthenium nanosheet. The metal ruthenium nanosheet is a monoatomic layer, and the platinum atomic layer is a monoatomic layer or a monoatomic layer laminated body.

An electrocatalyst including carbon and a nanosheet supported on the carbon. The nanosheet includes a metal ruthenium nanosheet, and a platinum atomic layer formed on an entire surface of the metal ruthenium nanosheet. The metal ruthenium nanosheet is a monoatomic layer, and the platinum atomic layer is a monoatomic layer or a monoatomic layer laminated body.

Continuous processes for making ethylene glycol form aldohexose-yielding carbohydrates are disclosed which enhance the selectivity to ethylene glycol.

The present invention relates to a novel biocatalytic process for the stereoselective preparation of alpha amino amide compounds catalyzed by NHase enzymes. A further aspect of the invention relates to novel NHase enzymes as well as further improved NHase enzyme mutants, nucleic acid molecules encoding these enzymes, recombinant microorganisms suitable for preparing such enzymes and mutants. Another aspect of the invention relates to a chemo-biocatalytic process for the preparation of lactam compounds comprising the new catalytic process for the preparation of alpha amino amide compounds catalyzed by NHase enzymes, as well as the chemical oxidation of the alpha amino amide by applying certain chemical oxidation catalysts suitable for converting the alpha amino amide under retention of its stereochemical configuration to the respective lactam. The novel chemo-biocatalytic process is particularly suited for the synthesis of valuable pharmaceutical compounds, like in particular (S)-Levetiracetam.

Provided is a photocatalytic composition comprising zinc (Zn) doped titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) nanoparticles, wherein the ratio of titanium dioxide nanoparticles to zinc is from about 5 to about 150. The photocatalytic composition absorbs electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range from about 200 nm to about 500 nm, and the absorbance of light of wavelengths longer than about 450 nm is less than 50% the absorbance of light of wavelengths shorter than about 350 nm.

The present disclosure relates to a novel ruthenium oxide, a method of preparing the same, and a catalyst for selective hydrogenation of an aromatic compound or an unsaturated compound including the ruthenium oxide.

Provided is a novel production system for a product selected from a nitrogen-containing product and a fermented and cultured product that does not involve (or can minimize) the transport of liquid ammonia. A production system for a product selected from a nitrogen-containing product and a fermented and cultured product can include: an ammonia synthesis apparatus in which an ammonia-containing gas is synthesized by reaction of a source gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen in the presence of a supported metal catalyst containing as a support one or more selected from the group consisting of: i) a conductive mayenite compound; ii) a two-dimensional electride compound or a precursor thereof; and iii) a complex formed of a support base containing at least one metal oxide selected from ZrO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, CeO.sub.2, and MgO and a metal amide represented by a formula M(NH.sub.2).sub.x (where M represents one or more selected from Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Eu; and x represents a valence number of M) supported by the support base; and a production apparatus that produces a product selected from a nitrogen-containing product and a fermented and cultured product using ammonia originating from the ammonia-containing gas obtained by using the ammonia synthesis apparatus.

Provided is a novel production system that does not involve, or can minimize, the transport of liquid ammonia in the production of an organic compound or the production of a microorganism by microbial fermentation. A production system for an organic compound or a microorganism includes: an ammonia synthesis apparatus in which an ammonia-containing gas is synthesized by reaction of a source gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen in the presence of a supported ruthenium catalyst; and a culture apparatus that cultures a microorganism having organic compound productivity using ammonia originating from the ammonia-containing gas obtained by using the ammonia synthesis apparatus.

A process for producing a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst according to the present invention comprises a step of calcining a carrier precursor containing silica calcined at a temperature T.sub.1 and a zirconium compound at a temperature T.sub.2 to obtain a carrier; and a step of calcining a catalyst precursor containing the carrier and a cobalt compound and/or a ruthenium compound at a temperature T.sub.3, wherein the content of the zirconium compound in the carrier precursor is 0.01 to 7% by mass in terms of zirconium oxide based on the total mass of the catalyst, and T.sub.1, T.sub.2, and T.sub.3 satisfy conditions represented by expressions (1) to (3):
T.sub.1≧T.sub.3  (1)
250° C.≦T.sub.2≦450° C.  (2)
250° C.≦T.sub.3≦450° C.  (3).