Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass compositions encompassing a latent organo-ruthenium compound, a photosensitizer and one or more monomers which undergo ring open metathesis polymerization (ROMP) when said composition is exposed to suitable actinic radiation to form a substantially transparent film or a three dimensional object. Surprisingly, the compositions are very stable at ambient conditions to temperatures up to 80° C. for several weeks and undergo mass polymerization only when subjected to actinic radiation under inert atmosphere such as for example a blanket of nitrogen. Accordingly, compositions of this invention are useful in various opto-electronic applications, including as 3D printing materials, coatings, encapsulants, fillers, leveling agents, among others.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing nitrile rubbers having reduced molecular weight by metathesis of a first nitrile rubber in the presence of specific ruthenium complex catalysts that have particular N-heterocyclic carbene ligands.

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 —O—C(═O)— starting from at least one primary alcohol and/or hydrogenation of compounds comprising at least one carboxylic acid ester functional group —O—C(═O)—. The present invention further relates to a process for hydrogenation of a compound comprising at least one carboxylic acid ester functional group —O—C(═O)—, to a process for the formation of a compound comprising at least one carboxylic acid ester functional group —O—C(═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 invention concerns a new, efficient process for the preparation of enantiomerically pure norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline), or an addition salt thereof, using a catalytic hydrogenation system under hydrogen donor transfer. The invention also discloses a novel intermediate and the process for the preparation thereof.

This invention relates generally to the synthesis of E-macrocycles using stereoretentive ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts supported by dithioiate ligands. Macrocycles were generated with excellent selectivity (>99% E) and in moderate to high/good yields (47% to 80% yield; 58% to 80% yield) from diene starting materials bearing two E-olefins or bearing one E-olefin and one terminal olefin, A variety of rings were constructed, ranging from 12- to 18-membered macrocycles, including the antibiotic recifeiolide. The invention has utility in the fields of organometallics and organic synthesis.

[Problem] To provide a novel artificial protein catalyst that enables the protection of a catalyst from substances in vivo and has potential usefulness in therapeutic in vivo synthetic chemistry.

[Solution] Provided is a complex of a protein and a catalyst selected from a metal catalyst or organic catalyst. In the complex according to the present invention, the protein is a protein having a hydrophobic pocket in the three-dimensional structure thereof, and the catalyst is housed in the hydrophobic pocket so that the catalyst is not or substantially not exposed to a hydrophilic environment.

The present invention relates to: a method for converting a hydroxyl group of an alcohol; and a catalyst which makes the method possible. A method for converting a hydroxyl group of an alcohol according to the present invention is characterized by producing a compound represented by CH(R.sup.1)(R.sup.2)Nu (wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and Nu are as defined below) by reacting an alcohol represented by CH(R.sup.1)(R.sup.2)OH (wherein each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group, or the like) and a compound having an active proton, which is represented by H-Nu (wherein Nu represents a group represented by —CHX.sup.1-EWG.sup.1 or —NR.sup.3R.sup.4; X.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or the like; EWG.sup.1 represents an electron-withdrawing group; and each of R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group, or the like), with each other in the presence of a complex of a group 7-11 metal of the periodic table and at least one solid base that is selected from the group consisting of layered double hydroxides, composite oxides and calcium hydroxide.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass compositions encompassing a latent organo-ruthenium compound, a photosensitizer and one or more monomers which undergo ring open metathesis polymerization (ROMP) when said composition is exposed to suitable actinic radiation to form a substantially transparent film or a three dimensional object. Surprisingly, the compositions are very stable at ambient conditions to temperatures up to 80° C. for several weeks and undergo mass polymerization only when subjected to actinic radiation under inert atmosphere such as for example a blanket of nitrogen. Accordingly, compositions of this invention are useful in various opto-electronic applications, including as 3D printing materials, coatings, encapsulants, fillers, leveling agents, among others.

Arene-immobilized Ru(II)TsDPEN Noyori-Ikariya catalysts anchored to silica through the coordinated η6-arene are provided. The catalysts efficiently catalyze many reactions, including the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones to alcohols.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for metathesizing a first alkenyl or alkynyl group with a second alkenyl or alkynyl group, the composition comprising a ruthenium metathesis catalyst and a photoredox catalyst that is activated by visible light.