A 4,4-divinylazoarylene-bridged diruthenium complex bearing two Ru(CO)(2-mercaptoquinolato)(P.sup.iPr.sub.3).sub.2 moieties, its synthesis, and its use as a catalyst.

The present invention relates to a selective reduction of esters to their corresponding alcohols.

A process for producing alpha-olefin dimers comprises contacting, at a temperature of 80 C. or more, a feedstock comprising at least one C.sub.8+ (linear) alpha-olefin with a catalyst system comprising activator and one or more catalyst compounds represented by the formula: ##STR00001##
where M is a Group 4 metal; n is 1, 2, or 3; R.sup.A is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl; each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, and R.sup.8 is independently selected from hydrogen and C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl; each X is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl radicals having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, hydrides, amides, alkoxides, sulfides, phosphides, halides, and a combination thereof, (two X's may form a part of a fused ring or a ring system), the contacting being conducted under conditions effective to oligomerize at least part of C.sub.8+ alpha-olefin to produce an oligomerized product containing at least 30 wt % of the alpha-olefin dimer and at least 80 mol % of vinylidene unsaturation, where the conversion of the alpha olefin is at least 10 wt %, based upon the weight of the alpha olefin monomer entering the reactor and the weight of dimer produced.

Disclosed is an industrial method for efficient production of an ,-difluoroaldehyde compound, which includes reaction of an ,-difluoroacetate with hydrogen gas (H.sub.2) in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst and a base. By the adoption of specific reaction conditions (catalyst, base, pressure etc.), it is possible to produce the target ,-difluoroaldehyde compound with a high conversion rate and high selectivity.

Compound of formula (4) or formula (5), wherein L is a neutral ligand, preferably a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic carbene (NHC) such as carbene containing at least two nitrogen atoms, a cyclic aminoalkyl carbene (CAAC) or a bicyclic aminoalkyl carbene (BICAAC); R.sup.1, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are, independently, H, unbranched or branched C.sub.1-20 alkyl, C.sub.5-9 cycloalkyl, unbranched or branched C.sub.1-20 alkoxy, optionally bearing one or more halogen atoms, respectively; or aryl, optionally substituted with one or more of unbranched or branched C.sub.1-20 alkyl, C.sub.5-9 cycloalkyl, unbranched or branched C.sub.1-20 alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, unbranched or branched C.sub.1-20 alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, unbranched or branched C.sub.1-20 alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryl, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, amido, aminosulfonyl, N-heteroarylsulfonyl, unbranched or branched C.sub.1-20 alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, unbranched or branched C.sub.1-20 alkylsulfinyl, arylsulfinyl, unbranched or branched C.sub.1-20 alkylthio, arylthio, sulfonamide, halogen or N(R.sup.y)(R.sup.z), wherein R.sup.y and R.sup.z are independently selected from H and C.sub.1-20 alkyl: R.sup.C is H, unbranched or branched C.sub.1-20 alkyl.

##STR00001##

This invention relates generally to olefin metathesis catalysts, to the preparation of such compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds, and the use of such compounds in the metathesis of olefins and in the synthesis of related olefin metathesis catalysts. The invention has utility in the fields of catalysis, organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, and in industrial applications such as oil and gas, fine chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.

The present invention provides a novel catalyst of formula (I): wherein M is selected from Zn(H), Co(II), Mn(II), Mg(II), Fe(II), Cr(III)X or Fe(III)X, and the use thereof in polymerizing carbon dioxide and an epoxide.

The present invention relates to an optically pure (+) or (?) enantiomer of a ruthenium complex having formula (I) as well as the preparation method of said enantiomer, and uses thereof as catalyst, in particular in asymmetric olefin metathesis.

##STR00001##

Disclosed are perfluorinated SABRE catalysts comprising a d-block element and a perfluorinated ligand, wherein the perfluorinated ligand is of Formula (I): [L.sub.m-(NHC)(YZ).sub.q] or a salt thereof. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a hyperpolarized substrate comprising a ? spin nucleus or nuclei using the perfluorinated SABRE catalysts, and isolating the resulting hyperpolarized substrate for administration to an animal. Further disclosed is a method of imaging a tissue of an animal suspected of having a disease or condition.

The present invention relates to a selective reduction of esters to their corresponding alcohols.