Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) having inorganic nodes that comprise an octahedral Hf.sub.6 cluster capped by eight .sub.3-ligands and having twelve octahedral edges, wherein the .sub.3-ligands are hydroxo ligands, oxo ligands or aquo ligands; and organic linkers connecting the organic nodes, the organic linkers comprising 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(p-benzoic acid)pyrene units; wherein eight of the twelve octahedral edges of the inorganic nodes are connected to the 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(p-benzoic acid)pyrene units are provided.

Compositions and methods for selective olefin (e.g., ethylene) polymerization comprising metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are generally provided. In some embodiments, a MOF comprises a plurality of metal ions, each coordinated with at least one ligand comprising at least two unsaturated N-heterocyclic aromatic groups arranged about an organic core.

The present invention provides a process for preparing a water splitting catalyst containing [Mn.sub.4CaO.sub.4] core structure and use thereof. The present invention provides clusters containing [Mn.sub.4CaO.sub.4] core structure by a chemical synthesis using inexpensive metal ions (Mn.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+ ions), simple carboxyl ligands and a permanganate, performed single crystal X-ray diffraction on their space structure, and characterized their physical and chemical properties with electron spectrum, electrochemical and electron paramagnetic resonance technologies and the like. These compounds can catalyze water splitting in the presence of oxidant to release oxygen and can also catalyze water splitting on the surface of an electrode to release electrons onto the surface of the electrode to form a current.

In one aspect, the present invention provides catalysts for the carbonylation of heterocycles. The inventive catalysts feature metal-ligand complexes having cationic functional groups tethered to the ligand, wherein the tethered cationic groups are associated with anionic metal carbonyl species. The invention also provides methods of using the inventive catalysts to affect the ring opening carbonylation of epoxides.

A method for synthesizing and application embedded alkaline earth metal oxide solid alkali includes: firstly, synthesizing an alkaline earth metal organic skeleton with single or multiple alkaline earth metals (Mg, Ca and Sr) as central metal elements; and then controlling the heating process to carry out high-temperature pyrolysis in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, so that the alkaline earth metal oxide are embedded in the nano carbon sheet to obtain a solid alkali catalyst. Finally, the catalyst is used to catalyze the transesterification of palm oil and methanol to produce biodiesel. The active site of the solid alkali obtained by the method is anchored on the nano-like carbon sheet, so that the active site is directly exposed on the surface of the catalyst, the catalytic activity is improved, the loss of the active site is inhibited, and the stability of the solid alkali catalyst is enhanced.

The present invention relates to single thread composite fibers comprising at least one binder and at least one active catalyst for the capture and degradation of chemical threats such as chemical warfare agents (CWA), biological warfare agents, and toxic industrial chemicals (TIC) and a method for producing the same. The invention fibers are applicable to the fields of protective garments, filtration materials, and decontamination materials.

The present invention relates to a water-stable Titanium-based metal-organic framework (MOF) material having a high degree of condensation, i.e. an oxo to Ti ratio (or oxo to metal ratio, in the case of doped Ti-based MOFs) >1.0; a process of preparing same and uses thereof, particularly for heterogeneously catalyzed chemical reactions, for gas storage/separation/purification, for information storage, laser printing or as an oxygen indicator, or as proton conductive material (fuel cells), optoelectronic material (photovoltaic cells including Grtzel cells), as a matrix for encapsulating active principles (medicaments, cosmetics), or else as sensing material.

A method for manufacturing a modified porous organic framework includes steps as follows. A mixed solution is provided. The mixed solution includes a porous organic framework, a plurality of group donors and a solvent. The porous organic framework includes a plurality of first ligands. Each of the first ligands includes at least one tetrazine group. Each of the group donors includes a reactive group and a modifying group covalently connected with each other. The reactive groups are alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aldehyde groups, ketone groups or a combination thereof. A modifying step is conducted, wherein at least one of the reactive groups of the group donors is reacted with at least one of the tetrazine groups of the first ligands, so that at least one of the modifying groups of the group donors is covalently connected with the porous organic framework, whereby the modified porous organic framework is obtained.

Catalytic hydroesterification of alkyl lactates give alkyl 2-(propionyloxy)propanoates, starting from alkyl lactate, carbon monoxide, ethylene gas, and a palladium catalyst. Pyrolysis of alkyl 2-(propionyloxy)propanoates gives acrylate esters.

A highly pure optically active proton pump inhibitor compound can be produced safely and inexpensively in a high yield and enantioselectivity by a method of producing an optically active sulfoxide of Formula 2 or a salt thereof, comprising oxidizing a sulfide of Formula 1 or a salt thereof with hydrogen peroxide using an iron salt in the presence of a chiral ligand of Formula 3; wherein A is CH or N; R.sup.1 is hydrogen atom, an alkyl optionally substituted by halogen(s), or an alkoxy optionally substituted by halogen(s); one to three R.sup.2 may exist, and each of R.sup.2 is independently an alkyl, a dialkylamino, or an alkoxy optionally substituted by halogen(s) or alkoxy(s); each of R.sup.3 is independently hydrogen atom, a halogen, cyano or the like; R.sup.4 is a tertiary alkyl; and * and ** represent respectively R configuration or S configuration.

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