This disclosure relates to synthetic coupling methods using catalytic molecules. In certain embodiments, the catalytic molecules comprise heterocyclic thiolamide, S-acylthiosalicylamide, disulfide, selenium containing heterocycle, diselenide compound, ditelluride compound or tellurium containing heterocycle. Catalytic molecules disclosed herein are useful as catalysts in the transformation of hydroxy group containing compounds to amides, esters, ketones, and other carbon to heteroatom or carbon to carbon transformations.

A hydrosilylation reaction catalyst prepared from: a catalyst precursor comprising a transition metal compound, excluding platinum, belonging to group 8-10 of the periodic table, e.g., iron acetate, cobalt acetate, nickel acetate, etc.; and a ligand comprising a carbine compound such as 1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene, etc.. The hydrosilylation reaction catalyst has excellent handling and storage properties. As a result of using this catalyst, a hydrosilylation reaction can be promoted under gentle conditions.

A carbene-coated metal foil is produced by applying an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) compound to one or more surfaces of a metal foil (e.g., an electrodeposited copper foil having a surface that is smooth and non-oxidized). The NHC compound contains a matrix-reactive pendant group that includes at least one of a vinyl-, allyl-, acrylic-, methacrylic-, styrenic-, amine-, amide- and epoxy-containing moiety capable of reacting with a base polymer (e.g., a vinyl-containing resin such as a polyphenylene oxide/triallyl-isocyanurate (PPO/TAIC) composition). The NHC compound may be synthesized by, for example, reacting a halogenated imidazolium salt (e.g., 1,3-bis(4-bromo-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride) and an organostannane having a vinyl-containing moiety (e.g., tributyl(vinyl)stannane) in the presence of a palladium catalyst. In some embodiments, an enhanced substrate for a printed circuit board (PCB) is produced by laminating the carbene-coated metal foil to a substrate that includes glass fiber impregnated with the base polymer.

A carbene-coated metal foil is produced by applying an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) compound to one or more surfaces of a metal foil (e.g., an electrodeposited copper foil having a surface that is smooth and non-oxidized). The NHC compound contains a matrix-reactive pendant group that includes at least one of a vinyl-, allyl-, acrylic-, methacrylic-, styrenic-, amine-, amide- and epoxy-containing moiety capable of reacting with a base polymer (e.g., a vinyl-containing resin such as a polyphenylene oxide/triallyl-isocyanurate (PPO/TAIC) composition). The NHC compound may be synthesized by, for example, reacting a halogenated imidazolium salt (e.g., 1,3-bis(4-bromo-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride) and an organostannane having a vinyl-containing moiety (e.g., tributyl(vinyl)stannane) in the presence of a palladium catalyst. In some embodiments, an enhanced substrate for a printed circuit board (PCB) is produced by laminating the carbene-coated metal foil to a substrate that includes glass fiber impregnated with the base polymer.

The present invention provides a composite comprising at least one hydrophobic organic compound and a matrix of at least one metal; wherein said at least one hydrophobic compound is entrapped within said matrix, compositions comprising at least one composite and methods of its preparation.