Systems for the catalytic activation and/or dehydrogenation of a paraffin feed stream that is enriched in C5 alkanes to produce olefins that are then hydrated in the presence of water to produce C5 alcohols. Optionally, paraffin isomers are separated and the n-paraffins isomerized prior to catalytic activation and/or dehydrogenation.

Surface hydroxyl groups on porous and nonporous metal oxides, such as silica gel and alumina, were metalated with catalyst precursors, such as complexes of earth abundant metals (e.g., Fe, Co, Cr, Ni, Cu, Mn and Mg). The metalated metal oxide catalysts provide a versatile family of recyclable and reusable single-site solid catalysts for catalyzing a variety of organic transformations. The catalysts can also be integrated into a flow reactor or a supercritical fluid reactor.

The present invention provides novel Ruthenium-based transition metal complex catalysts comprising specific ligands, their preparation and their use in hydrogenation processes. Such complex catalysts are inexpensive, thermally robust, and olefin selective.

There is provided a novel optically active bisphosphinomethane useful as a ligand for an asymmetric catalyst, excellent in oxidation resistance in air, and easy in handling. There is also provided a transition metal complex using the optically active bisphosphinoraethane having excellent asymmetric catalytic ability as a ligand. The optically active bisphosphinomethane is represented by the general formula (1), and the transition metal complex has the optically active bisphosphinomethane as a ligand. ##STR00001##
(In the formula, R.sup.1 represents an adamantyl group; R.sup.2 represents a branched alkyl group having 3 or more carbon atoms; and * represents an asymmetric center on a phosphorus atom.)

The present invention provides novel ruthenium or osmium based complex structures with a unique combination of ligands comprising a Schiff-base type ligand, a N-heterocyclic carbene ligand and a CO ligand which can be prepared according to two different routes involving easily accessible starting materials and which represent excellent catalysts for hydrogenating unsaturated compounds, oligomers and polymers, in particular at unforeseeably low temperatures. ##STR00001##

A synthesis method and a synthesis device of cyclododecene according to the present invention have a high conversion rate of cyclododecatriene which is a reactant and a high selectivity of cyclododecene which is a required product, and even so, have an effect of significantly decreasing a reaction time. In addition, the method and the device have an excellent conversion rate of cyclododecatriene and an excellent selectivity of cyclododecene, while maintaining excellent reactivity without an organic solvent such as ethanol. Therefore, a volume of the reactor relative to an output of cyclododecene may be further decreased. Moreover, the method and the device may minimize costs for facilities and process, are practical, decrease a process time, and are industrially advantageous for mass production as compared with the conventional art.

Provided is a mononuclear ruthenium complex that comprises a ruthenium-silicon bond that is represented by formula (1) and that exhibits excellent catalyst activity in each of a hydrosilylation reaction, a hydrogenation reaction, and reduction of a carbonyl compound. ##STR00001## In formula (1), R.sup.1-R.sup.6 either independently represent an alkyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group or the like that may be substituted with a hydrogen atom or X, or represent a crosslinking substituent in which at least one pair comprising one of R.sup.1-R.sup.3 and one of R.sup.4-R.sup.6 is combined. X represents a halogen atom, an organoxy group, or the like. L represents a two-electron ligand other than CO and phosphine. When a plurality of L are present, the plurality of L may be the same as or different from each other. When two L are present, the two L may be bonded to each other. n and m independently represent an integer of 1 to 3 with the stipulation that n+m equals 3 or 4.

A long life catalyst is provided that is conveniently and inexpensively capable of being produced and that is highly active and has inhibited metal leakage. According to aspects of the present invention, a catalyst is provided that includes: a polymer including a plurality of first structural units and a plurality of second structural units; and metal acting as a catalytic center, wherein at least part of the metal is covered with the polymer, each of the plurality of first structural units has a first atom constituting a main chain of the polymer and a first substituent group bonded to the first atom, a second atom included in each of the plurality of second structural units is bonded to the first atom, and the second atom is different from the first atom, or at least one of all substituent groups on the second atom is different from the first substituent group.

The present invention provides highly efficient process for the preparation of enantiomerically enriched Sitagliptin of Formula (Ia). More particularly, a direct rhodium catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation in the presence of bis-phosphine chiral ligand has been developed to yield enantiopure Sitagliptin product with the highest enantiomeric excess of 85-99.9%.

##STR00001##

The present invention pertains to a method for recovering a selective homogeneous hydrogenation catalyst and a method for reusing the recovered selective homogeneous hydrogenation catalyst. The method for recovering a selective homogeneous hydrogenation catalyst comprises: a step for synthesizing cyclododecene by selectively hydrogenating a first reaction solution containing cyclododecatriene, triphenylphosphine, formaldehyde, and ruthenium chloride, wherein a selective homogeneous hydrogenation catalyst is prepared during the selective hydrogenation reaction from the triphenylphosphine, formaldehyde, and ruthenium chloride to synthesize the cyclododecene; and a step for distilling and separating unreacted cyclododecatriene and cyclododecadiene, as well as the product cyclododecene, from a second reaction solution in which the cyclododecene synthesis has been completed, and recovering the selective homogeneous hydrogenation catalyst.