Methods of selectively synthesizing n-tetrasilane are disclosed. N-tetrasilane is prepared by catalysis of silane (SiH.sub.4), disilane (Si.sub.2H.sub.6), trisilane (Si.sub.3H.sub.8), or mixtures thereof. More particularly, the disclosed synthesis methods tune and optimize the n-tetrasilane:i-tetrasilane isomer ratio. The isomer ratio may be optimized by selection of process parameters, such as temperature and the relative amount of starting compounds, as well as selection of proper catalyst. The disclosed synthesis methods allow facile preparation of n-tetrasilane.

The invention covers a supported catalyst system prepared according to a process comprising the following step: i). impregnating a silica-containing catalyst support having a specific surface area of from 150 m.sup.2/g to 800 m.sup.2/g, preferably 280 m.sup.2/g to 600 m.sup.2/g, with one or more titanium compounds of the general formula selected from R.sub.nTi(OR).sub.m and (RO).sub.nTi(OR).sub.m, wherein R and R are the same or different and are selected from hydrocarbyl groups containing from 1 to 12 carbon and halogens, and wherein n is 0 to 4, m is 0 to 4 and m+n equals 4, to form a titanated silica-containing catalyst support having a Ti content of at least 0.1 wt % based on the weight of the Ti-impregnated catalyst support
wherein the supported catalyst system further comprises an alumoxane and a metallocene.

A catalyst comprising particles of iridium oxide and a metal oxide (M oxide), wherein the metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of a Group 4 metal oxide, a Group 5 metal oxide, a Group 7 metal oxide and antimony oxide, wherein the catalyst is prepared by subjecting a precursor mixture to flame spray pyrolysis, wherein the precursor mixture comprises a solvent, an iridium oxide precursor and a metal oxide precursor is disclosed. The catalyst has particular use in catalysing the oxygen evolution reaction.

Disclosed is a transesterified polylactic acid product which has been transesterified with a diol and at least one natural oil. The transesterified polylactic acid product has surprisingly improved properties compared to unmodified polylactic acid including: a liquid state at room temperature, a reduced melting temperature and increased solubility in a variety of solvents. Also disclosed is a method for producing the transesterified polylactic acid product. The transesterified polylactic acid product is economical to produce and includes a high content of renewable resources. In addition, the product is biodegradable.

The invention describes phospho-amino pincer-type ligands, metal complexes thereof, and catalytic methods comprising such metal complexes for conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol, conversion of aldehydes into alcohols, conversion of aldehydes in the presence of a trifluoromethylation agent into trifluorinated secondary alcohols, cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to an epoxide to provide cyclic carbonates or preparation of an amide from the combination of an alcohol and an amine.

The invention is directed to methods of converting a carboxylic acid group in a compound, via a redox active ester, to a corresponding boronic ester by treatment with bis(pinacolato)diboron-alkyllithium complex in the presence of a ligand, a Ni(11) salt or a copper salt, and an Mg(11) salt, in the presence of an alkyllithium or a lithium hydroxide or alkoxide salt. The product pinacolato boronate ester can be cleaved to provide a boronic acid. The invention is also directed to methods of preparing various compounds of medical value comprising boronic acid groups, and to novel boronic-acid containing compounds of medicinal value, including an atorvastatin boronic acid analog, a vancomycin aglycone boronic acid analog, and boronic acid containing elastase inhibitors mCBK319, mCBK320, mCBK323, and RPX-7009.

Methods for synthesizing a water-soluble titanium-silicon complex are disclosed herein. The titanium-silicon complex can be utilized to produce titanated solid oxide supports and titanated chromium supported catalysts. The titanated chromium supported catalysts subsequently can be used to polymerize olefins to produce, for example, ethylene based homopolymer and copolymers.

A specific mixture of polyols, at least one of which contains the transesterification product of the polymer polylactic acid with natural oils. The mixture of polyols can be used as one component of a two-component adhesive for laminating flexible packaging. The other component comprises an isocyanate-functionalized compound. The two components are combined before use and the resulting adhesive can be used to bond films to form a flexible packaging material.

A process for preparing a catalyst material, includes: (a) providing a support material having surface hydroxyl (OH) groups, the support material is ceria (CeO.sub.2), zirconia (ZrO.sub.2) or a combination, and the support material contains between 0.3 and 2.0 mmol OH groups/g of the support material; (b) reacting the support material with at least one of: (b1) a compound containing at least one alkoxy or phenoxy group bound though its oxygen atom to a metal element from Group 5 (V, Nb, Ta) or Group 6 (Cr, Mo, W); (b2) a compound containing at least one hydrocarbon group bound though a carbon atom to a metal element from Group 5 or 6; (b3) a compound containing at least one hydrocarbon group bound though a carbon atom to a metal element which is copper (Cu); and (c) calcining the product obtained in step (b).

The invention describes phospho-amino pincer-type ligands, metal complexes thereof, and catalytic methods comprising such metal complexes for conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol, conversion of aldehydes into alcohols, conversion of aldehydes in the presence of a trifluoromethylation agent into trifluorinated secondary alcohols, cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to an epoxide to provide cyclic carbonates or preparation of an amide from the combination of an alcohol and an amine.