Subject of the invention is a process for producing a biofuel from fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) obtained by transesterification of vegetable oils, comprising the steps of: (a) ethenolysis of the fatty acid methyl esters in the presence of ethylene and an ethenolysis catalyst, and (b) isomerizing metathesis in the presence of an isomerization catalyst and a metathesis catalyst. The invention also relates to biofuels obtainable by the inventive process and to uses of ethylene for adjusting and optimizing biofuels.

A highly efficient, Z-selective ring-closing metathesis system for the formation of macrocycles using a stereoretentive, ruthenium-based catalyst supported by a dithiolate ligand is reported. This catalyst is demonstrated to be remarkably active as observed in initiation experiments showing complete catalyst initiation at −20° C. within 10 min. Using easily accessible diene starting materials bearing a Z-olefin moiety, macrocyclization reactions generated products with significantly higher Z-selectivity in appreciably shorter reaction times, in higher yield, and with much lower catalyst loadings than in previously reported systems. Macrocyclic lactones ranging in size from twelve-membered to seventeen-membered rings are synthesized in moderate to high yields (68-79% yield) with excellent Z-selectivity (95%-99% Z).

An organometallic complex catalyst is disclosed for use in a cross-coupling reaction. In formula (1), M is the coordination center and represents a metal atom such as Pd or an ion thereof. R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 may be the same or different and are a substituent such as a hydrogen atom. R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 may be the same or different and are a substituent such as a hydrogen atom. X represents a halogen atom. R.sup.8 represents a substituent that has a n bond and 3-20 carbon atoms. With regard to the electron-donating properties of R.sup.1-R.sup.7 with respect to the coordination center M of the ligand containing R.sup.1-R.sup.7 that is indicated in formula (2), R.sup.1-R.sup.7 are arranged in combination such that the TEP value obtained from infrared spectroscopy shifts toward the high frequency side compared to the TEP value of the ligand of formula (2-1).

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This disclosure relates to processes for converting saturated polyethylene to at least an alkene product. The processes comprise contacting the saturated polyethylene with three or more catalyst components in a reactor, the reactor comprising an alkene reactant. The three or more catalyst components comprise a metathesis catalyst component, an isomerization catalyst component, and a dehydrogenation catalyst component. Contacting causes at least a portion of the saturated polyethylene to undergo dehydrogenation reactions to form unsaturated polyethylene and at least a portion of the unsaturated polyethylene, or products derived therefrom, to undergo metathesis reactions and isomerization reactions to produce an effluent comprising at least the alkene product.

An organometallic complex catalyst is disclosed for use in a cross-coupling reaction. In formula (1), M is the coordination center and represents a metal atom such as Pd or an ion thereof. R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 may be the same or different and are a substituent such as a hydrogen atom. R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 may be the same or different and are a substituent such as a hydrogen atom. X represents a halogen atom. R.sup.8 represents a substituent that has a π bond and 3-20 carbon atoms. With regard to the electron-donating properties of R.sup.1-R.sup.7 with respect to the coordination center M of the ligand containing R.sup.1-R.sup.7 that is indicated in formula (2), R.sup.1-R.sup.7 are arranged in combination such that the TEP value obtained from infrared spectroscopy shifts toward the high frequency side compared to the TEP value of the ligand of formula (2-1). ##STR00001##

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for Rh(I) catalysts, methods of making alkenyl substituted arenes (e.g., allyl arene, vinyl arene, and the like), methods of making alkyl substituted arenes, and the like.

A highly efficient, Z-selective ring-closing metathesis system for the formation of macrocycles using a stereoretentive, ruthenium-based catalyst supported by a dithiolate ligand is reported. This catalyst is demonstrated to be remarkably active as observed in initiation experiments showing complete catalyst initiation at −20° C. within 10 min. Using easily accessible diene starting materials bearing a Z-olefin moiety, macrocyclization reactions generated products with significantly higher Z-selectivity in appreciably shorter reaction times, in higher yield, and with much lower catalyst loadings than in previously reported systems. Macrocyclic lactones ranging in size from twelve-membered to seventeen-membered rings are synthesized in moderate to high yields (68-79% yield) with excellent Z-selectivity (95%-99% Z).

Provided are a 3,3,3′,3′-tetramethyl-1,1′-spirobiindane-based monophosphine ligand and intermediates thereof, and preparation methods and uses of the same. The monophosphine ligand is a compound represented by formula I or formula I′, or an enantiomer, a raceme or a diastereoisomer thereof, including phosphonite ligands, phosphite ligands, phosphoramidite ester ligands, phosphoric acid and phosphonic amide. The monophosphine ligand is prepared with a known 3,3,3′,3′-tetramethyl-1,1′-spirobiindane-7,7′-diol derivative as a raw material through a scheme in which the compound presented by formula II acts as an intermediate. The present disclosure provides a novel monophosphine ligand, which can be used as a ligand in a metal-catalysed organic reactions or in directly catalyzing an organic reaction, especially as a chiral monophosphine ligand widely used in many chiral catalytic reactions such as asymmetric addition, asymmetric hydrogenation, asymmetric coupling, and asymmetric allyl alkylation, having economic practicality and industrial application prospects. ##STR00001##

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for metathesizing a first alkenyl or alkynyl group with a second alkenyl or alkynyl group, the composition comprising a ruthenium metathesis catalyst and a photoredox catalyst that is activated by visible light.

A halogen-containing compound as shown in a formula I can be used as a ligand for an ethylene oligomerization catalyst composition. The ethylene oligomerization catalyst composition containing the halogen-containing compound can be used to catalyze ethylene oligomerization, trimerization and tetramerization reactions. As a ligand of a catalyst for ethylene oligomerization, a fluoropolymer can effectively improve the catalytic performance of a catalyst system, and particularly exhibits improved activity and selectivity in an ethylene oligomerization reaction. ##STR00001##