According to one embodiment, a reduction catalyst includes a current collector including a metal layer; and organic molecules including a quaternary nitrogen cation, which are bonded to the metal layer. The organic molecules are represented by any of the following general formulae I to V.

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What is provided is a production method in which a vinyl acetate is reacted with a primary or secondary alcohol represented by Formula (1) and carbon monoxide to produce a first ester compound represented by Formula (2), and the first ester compound is reacted with an alcohol to produce a lactic acid ester represented by Formula (3) and an acetic acid ester represented by Formula (4).

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A process for producing high octane alkylate is provided. The process involves reacting isobutane and ethylene using an ionic liquid catalyst. Reaction conditions can be chosen to assist in attaining, or to optimize, desirable alkylate yields and/or properties.

A process for the preparation of ethylene by the dehydration of ethanol in the presence of a zeolite catalyst having the MOR framework code, wherein the process is operated at a temperature in the range of from 100° C. to 300° C., for example from 140° C. to 270° C., such as from 150° C. to 250° C., and wherein the zeolite catalyst having the MOR framework code has been modified by the adsorption of an optionally substituted pyridine compound.

Provided herein are methods for producing ketone(s) from the condensation of methyl ketone(s) and alcohol(s) in the presence of an amine catalyst and a metal catalyst. Such amine catalysts may be supported, for example, on a silica-alumina support. Such ketones may be suitable for use in producing fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, or precursors thereof. The methyl ketone(s) and/or alcohol(s) may be obtained from renewable sources, such as by fermentation of biomass.

Provided herein are methods for producing α,β-unsaturated ketones from the condensation of methyl ketones in the presence of an amine catalyst. Such amine catalysts may be supported, for example, on a silica-alumina support. Such amine catalysts may be used in the presence of an additional acid. The α,β-unsaturated ketones may be produced by dimerization and/or timerization of the methyl ketones. Such α,β-unsaturated ketones may be suitable for use in producing fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, or precursors thereof. The methyl ketones may be obtained from renewable sources, such as by the fermentation of biomass.

The invention generally relates to methods of making substituted arenes via direct C—H amination. More specifically, methods of making para- and ortho-substituted arenes via direct C—H amination are disclosed. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

A metal-free porphyrin based crystalline 2D organic polymer obtained from the condensation of terephthaloyl chloride and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl porphyrin, namely H.sub.2TAPP), which is an effective bifunctional electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in basic conditions and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in neutral solutions. The electrochemical response of this material is explored under oxidation and reduction conditions in order to study its catalytic activity, charge transfer and stability.

Disclosed herein is a method for selectively reducing, using electrical energy, CO.sub.2 to formic acid, a catalyst for use in the method, and an electrochemical reduction system. The method for producing formic acid by electrochemically reducing carbon dioxide of the present invention includes (a) reacting carbon dioxide with a metal complex represented by formula (1), and (b) applying a voltage to a reaction product of the carbon dioxide and the metal complex represented by formula (1):

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The present invention discloses an improved catalytic process for the synthesis of 5-(3-pyridyl)-2, 2′-bithiophene in high yield and purity.