The present invention discloses a process for the synthesis of compound of formula (VII) or a salt thereof,

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wherein, R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4a and R.sup.4b are as defined in the detailed description. The process further comprises the synthesis of an anthranilic diamide compound of formula (I).

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to catalyst compositions including metal chalcogenides, processes for producing such catalyst compositions, processes for enhancing catalytic active sites in such catalyst compositions, and uses of such catalyst compositions in, e.g., processes for producing conversion products. In an aspect, a process for forming a catalyst composition is provided. The process includes introducing an electrolyte material and an amphiphile material to a metal chalcogenide to form the catalyst composition. In another aspect, a catalyst composition is provided. The catalyst composition includes a metal chalcogenide, an electrolyte material, and an amphiphile material. Devices for hydrogen evolution reaction are also provided.

Disclosed are a catalyst useful for producing organic amines by catalytic amination its preparation and application thereof, which catalyst comprising an inorganic porous carrier containing aluminum and/or silicon, and an active metal component supported on the carrier, the active metal component comprising at least one metal selected from Group VIII and Group IB metals, wherein the carrier has an L acid content of 85% or more relative to the total of the L acid and B acid contents. The catalyst shows an improved catalytic performance when used for producing organic amines by catalytic amination.

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to catalyst compositions including metal chalcogenides, processes for producing such catalyst compositions, processes for enhancing catalytic active sites in such catalyst compositions, and uses of such catalyst compositions in, e.g., processes for producing conversion products. In an aspect, a process for forming a catalyst composition is provided. The process includes introducing an electrolyte material and an amphiphile material to a metal chalcogenide to form the catalyst composition. In another aspect, a catalyst composition is provided. The catalyst composition includes a metal chalcogenide, an electrolyte material, and an amphiphile material. Devices for hydrogen evolution reaction are also provided.

The present disclosure discloses a core-shell structured NiSe.sub.2@NC electrocatalytic material having a general formula of NiSe.sub.2@NC. The present disclosure also provides a preparation method and use of the catalytic material. In the present disclosure, hydrazine hydrate is used as a reducing agent, selenium powders are used as a source of selenium, and a metal-organic framework (MOF) is used as a precursor. Selective selenization of mixed-linker MOFs based on mixed ligands is carried out through a hydrothermal reaction. Then, a series of adjustable N-doped carbon-coated NiSe.sub.2 nano-octahedrons are prepared through a one-step calcination reaction. By adjusting the types of mixed ligands in the MOF, carbon-coated nickel diselenide composites doped with different pyridinic-N contents can be obtained. Corresponding electrochemical tests prove that, the electrocatalytic activity has a strong correlation with the content of pyridinic-N.

The present description relates to metal alloy electrocatalysts, preferably composed of Ni and Co as transition metals and Se as a chalcogen. The electrocatalysts can take the form of nanochalcogenides that can be made using cryogenic milling followed by surfactant-assistant milling. The electrocatalysts can be used in the context of water electrolysis or electroreduction of CO.sub.2 gas into carbon based products.

Systems and methods for providing alternative fuel, in particular hydrogen photocatalytically generated by a system comprising photoactive nanoparticles and a nitrogenase cofactor are provided. In one aspect, the system includes a water soluble cadmium selenide nanoparticle (CdSe) surface capped with mercaptosuccinate (CdSe-MSA) and a NafY.FeMo-co complex comprising a NafY protein and an iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co), wherein the CdSe-MSA and NafY.FeMo-co complex are present in about 1:2 to 1:10 molar ratio.

The present invention relates to a catalyst system for preparing a carbonate derivative, comprising selenium (Se) and a pyridine amine compound represented by structural formula 1. The catalyst system for preparing a carbonate derivative, and a method for preparing a carbonate derivative by using same, of the present invention, allow an alcohol to undergo oxidative carbonylation by using a selenium-based catalyst system, and thus are more economical than a conventional carbonylation process and can obtain a dialkyl carbonate in feasible yields.

Provided is a facilitated CO.sub.2 transport membrane having an improved CO.sub.2 permeance and an improved CO.sub.2/H.sub.2 selectivity. The facilitated CO.sub.2 transport membrane includes a separation-functional membrane that includes a hydrophilic polymer gel membrane containing a CO.sub.2 carrier and a CO.sub.2 hydration catalyst. Further preferably, the CO.sub.2 hydration catalyst at least has catalytic activity at a temperature of 100 C. or higher, has a melting point of 200 C. or higher, or is soluble in water.

A template-assisted method for the synthesis of 2D nanosheets comprises growing a 2D material on the surface of a nanoparticle substrate that acts as a template for nanosheet growth. The 2D nanosheets may then be released from the template surface, e.g. via chemical intercalation and exfoliation, purified, and the templates may be reused.