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.

Provided is a cathode for electrolysis comprising a conductive substrate and a Ru element-containing catalyst layer on the conductive substrate, wherein in the catalyst layer, the ratio of the maximum intensity of the Ru 3d 5/2 peak appearing between 281.4 eV and 282.4 eV to the maximum intensity of the Ru 3d 5/2 peak appearing between 280.0 eV and 281.0 eV, in an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic measurement is 0.45 or more.

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

A synthesis process for forming nanodendrites. The nanodendrites are utilized in a process to form a heterojunction catalyst. Nanodendrites may include PtRu.sub.8 nanodendrites that can be oxidized through annealing to form PtRuO.sub.2. One heterojunction catalyst comprises PtRuO.sub.2 on a carbon support.

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 invention provides a method for producing ammonia by means of energy irradiation, the method comprises contacting a nanostructure catalyst with at least one nitrogen-containing source and at least one hydrogen-containing source, and irradiating the nanostructure catalyst, the nitrogen-containing source and the hydrogen-containing source with energy, to produce ammonia.

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.