The present invention relates to the use of a transition metal catalyst TMC1, which comprises a transition metal M selected from metals of groups 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the periodic table of elements according to IUPAC and a tetradentate ligand of formula I wherein R.sup.1 are identical or different and are each an organic radical having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, and R.sup.2 are identical or different and are each an organic radical having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, as catalyst in processes for formation of compounds comprising at least one carboxylic acid ester functional group OC(O) starting from at least one primary alcohol and/or hydrogenation of compounds comprising at least one carboxylic acid ester functional group OC(O). The present invention further relates to a process for hydrogenation of a compound comprising at least one carboxylic acid ester functional group OC(O), to a process for the formation of a compound comprising at least one carboxylic acid ester functional group OC(O) by dehydrogenase coupling of at least one primary alcohol with a second alcoholic OH-group, to a transition metal complex comprising the tetradentate ligand of formula I and to a process for preparing said transition metal complex.

##STR00001##

The present invention discloses a phosphine free cobalt based catalyst of formula (I) and a process for preparation thereof. The present invention further discloses a process for the synthesis of aromatic heterocyclic compounds of formula (II) and pyrazine derivative using the phosphine free cobalt based catalyst of formula (I).

A process for preparing a ketone or carboxylic acid by catalytic oxidation of a secondary or primary alcohol comprises adding the secondary or primary alcohol as a raw material and N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) combined with phthalocyanine, serving as a catalytic system, into an amount of an organic solvent into which oxygen gas is then introduced, to proceed with an oxidation reaction to give the ketone or carboxylic acid. The oxygen gas is employed as the source of an oxidant. The oxidation reaction may be carried out under normal pressure at 60 to 120 C. for 9 to 36 hours. The process can produce a high yield of ketone or carboxylic acid. Compared with conventional technology, the process has several advantages, such as the green oxidant, the cheap catalyst which can also be easily prepared and separated, and mild reaction conditions, and it is also an environmentally friendly process for alcohol oxidation.

Chiral polyvinylpyrrolidinone (CSPVP), complexes of CSPVP with a core species, such as a metallic nanocluster catalyst, and enantioselective oxidation reactions utilizing such complexes are disclosed. The CSPVP complexes can be used in asymmetric oxidation of diols, enantioselective oxidation of alkenes, and carbon-carbon bond forming reactions, for example. The CSPVP can also be complexed with biomolecules such as proteins, DNA, and RNA, and used as nanocarriers for siRNA or dsRNA delivery.

The present invention relates to a novel phenonthroline based pincer complexes and process for preparation thereof. The present invention also provides a one pot process for the conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol in the presence of a molecularly defined pincer-type single-site Ru-catalyst and secondary amine. Further the present invention provides the use of phenonthroline based pincer complexes for the esterification of alcohols and hydrogenation of esters under mild conditions.

A hydrogen generation method including steps as follows: adding a nitrogen-substituted derivative of an alkyldithiolate ruthenium complex as a biomimetic hydrogenase photocatalyst into a solution, adding an organic acid into the solution, adding a P-ligand into the solution, adding an electron donor into the solution, and irradiating the solution with light in order to generate hydrogen.

Disclosed is a cost-effective process for catalytic conversion of simple C.sub.6-based sugars (such as glucose and fructose) and industrial-grade sugar syrups derived from starch (such as different grades of High Fructose Corn Syrup) and cellulosic biomass to 5-HydroxyMethylFurfural (5-HMF) in a continuous-flow tubular reactor in bi-phasic media using inexpensive heterogeneous solid catalysts. Commercial and synthesized heterogeneous solid catalysts were used and their activities in terms of sugar conversion and HMF selectivity and yield were compared. Continuous dehydration of fructose, glucose and industrial-grade sugar syrups derived from corn and wood to HMF was achieved and the stability of selected catalysts and feasibility of catalyst recycling and regeneration were demonstrated. The performance of the catalysts and reactor system were examined under different operating conditions including reaction temperature, feeding flow rate, initial feedstock concentration, catalyst loading, presence of extracting organic solvent and phase transfer catalyst and aqueous to organic phase ratio. At the best operating conditions, HMF yield attained 60%, 45% and 53%, from dehydration of fructose, glucose and HFCS-90, respectively.

The present application discloses complexes useful as catalysts for organic chemical synthesis including hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of unsaturated compounds or dehydrogenation of substrates. The range of hydrogenation substrate compounds includes esters, lactones, oils and fats, resulting in alcohols, diols, and triols as reaction products. The catalysts of current application can be used to catalyze a hydrogenation reaction under solvent free conditions. The present catalysts also allow the hydrogenation to proceed without added base, and it can be used in place of the conventional reduction methods employing hydrides of the main-group elements. Furthermore, the catalysts of the present application can catalyze a dehydrogenation reaction under homogenous and/or acceptorless conditions. As such, the catalysts provided herein can be useful in substantially reducing cost and improving the environmental profile of manufacturing processes for variety of chemicals.

The present application discloses complexes useful as catalysts for organic chemical synthesis including hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of unsaturated compounds or dehydrogenation of substrates. The range of hydrogenation substrate compounds includes esters, lactones, oils and fats, resulting in alcohols, diols, and triols as reaction products. The catalysts of current application can be used to catalyze a hydrogenation reaction under solvent free conditions. The present catalysts also allow the hydrogenation to proceed without added base, and it can be used in place of the conventional reduction methods employing hydrides of the main-group elements. Furthermore, the catalysts of the present application can catalyze a dehydrogenation reaction under homogenous and/or acceptorless conditions. As such, the catalysts provided herein can be useful in substantially reducing cost and improving the environmental profile of manufacturing processes for variety of chemicals.

A formic acid decomposition catalyst system includes organometallic complexes having formula 1: ##STR00001## wherein: M is a transition metal; E is P, N, or C (as in imidazolium carbene); R.sub.1, R.sub.2 are independently C.sub.1-6 alkyl groups; o is 1, 2, 3, or 4; R.sub.3 are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl groups, OR.sub.14, NO.sub.2, halogen; R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10, R.sub.11, R.sub.12, R.sub.13, R.sub.15, R.sub.16 are independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl groups; R.sub.14 is a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group; and X.sup. is a negatively charge counter ion.