The present invention relates to novel processes for the enantioselective iridium-catalysed hydrogenation of oximes and oxime ethers to provide compounds of formula (II) and salts thereof formula (I) and (II).

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Methods for preparing ceria-zirconia (CZO) materials calcined with precious group metals (PGM) include calcining a CZO material with PGM. The calcined CZO/PGM catalyst is reduced at a temperature of ≥1000° C. to ≤1100° C. for a time of ≥0.5 hour to 1 hour to form a (CZO/PGM)-pyrochlore catalyst. The (CZO/PGM)-pyrochlore catalyst exhibits superior oxygen storage capacity characteristics as a three-way catalyst in vehicle exhaust gas systems.

Methods for producing a carbon-free, PGM-free support for PGM catalyst. The catalytic material comprises PGM metals disposed on a carbon-free support which is catalytic but free of PGM.

Methods of converting ethane to ethylene at relatively low temperatures are described. Ir0.sub.2-based catalysts are used in the conversion. Methods of converting a base gas to a first gas by exposing the base gas to an IrO.sub.2-based catalyst and forming the first gas are described. The base gas can be an alkane. The first gas can include an alkene, an alkyne, an alcohol, an aldehyde, or combinations thereof.

A bipolar membrane comprising a first member comprising at least one anion exchange material; a second member comprising at least one cation exchange material, wherein the first member and the second member together form an interface junction; and disposed within the interface junction a first layer comprising a first water dissociation catalyst and a second layer comprising a second water dissociation catalyst, wherein the first water dissociation catalyst is different than the second water dissociation catalyst.

A nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O) removal catalyst composite is provided, comprising a N.sub.2O removal catalytic material on a substrate, the catalytic material comprising a rhodium (Rh) component supported on a ceria-based support, wherein the catalyst composite has a H.sub.2-consumption peak of about 100° C. or less as measured by hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H.sub.2-TPR). Methods of making and using the same are also provided.

Carbon-based single metal atom or bimetallic, trimetallic, or multimetallic alloy transition metal-containing catalysts derived from exoelectrogen bacteria and their methods of making and using thereof are described. The method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a solution medium comprising at least an electron donor and an electron acceptor comprised of one or more salts of a transition metal; (b) providing exoelectrogen bacterial cells and mixing the exoelectrogen bacterial cells into the solution medium of step (a); (c) incubating the solution medium of step (b); (d) isolating the exoelectrogen bacterial cells from the incubated solution medium of step (c); and (e) pyrolyzing the exoelectrogen bacterial cells resulting in formation of the catalyst. The electron donor can be formate, acetate, or hydrogen.

A hydrogenolysis bimetallic supported catalyst comprising a first metal, a second metal, and a zeolitic support; wherein the first metal and the second metal are different; and wherein the first metal and the second metal can each independently be selected from the group consisting of iridium (Ir), platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), palladium (Pd), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co).

The present invention relates to a catalyst system comprising: i. a first layer of a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst, the hydrocarbon conversion catalyst comprising: a first composition comprising a platinum group metal on a solid support; and a second composition comprising a transition metal on an inorganic support; ii. a second layer comprising a cracking catalyst; and to a process for conversion of a hydrocarbon feed utilizing this catalyst system.

A method for the preparation of isolated noble metal atoms in a solution comprises mixing a protective agent, a precious metal compound, and a reducing agent thoroughly. At certain temperature, isolated noble metal atoms are formed after reaction, thereby leading to isolated noble metal atoms which are stable in the solution. Isolated noble metal atoms on solid material surface can be prepared by impregnating a noble metal atom solution onto a solid medium. Alloys and catalysts etc. can be prepared by using the single atoms solution as raw material. The invention achieves, for the first time, the preparation of reduced single atoms in a solution phase. Formation of metal nanoparticles is avoided compared to the conventional synthesis of metal materials in solution phase. Compared with solid surface supported monoatomic materials, this invention allows for the preparation of materials that are characterized by high metal loading and high stability.