A new family of Group IV transition metal catalytic compounds are provided, which are capable of catalysing the ROP of cyclic esters and cyclic amides to yield polymers of high molecular weight and narrow PDI. The new family of catalysts are surprisingly active not only in catalysing the ROP of lactones such as caprolactone, but also macrolactones (e.g. ω-pentadecalactone, PDL), where the reduced amount of ring strain would typically compromise efficient polymerisation. Also provided is a process for the ring opening polymerisation (ROP) of a cyclic ester or a cyclic amide employing the new catalytic compounds.

Methods of preparing fluorinated compounds by carboxylative fluorination using fluoride are contained herein. Fluorinated compounds are provided. Methods of using fluorinated compounds are contained herein.

Methods and catalysts for oxidizing ammonia to nitrogen are described. Specifically, diruthenium complexes that spontaneously catalyze this reaction are disclosed. Accordingly, the disclosed methods and catalysts can be used in various electrochemical cell-based energy storage and energy production applications that could form the basis for a potential nitrogen economy.

The present disclosure provides a catalyst system having a salan catalyst compound and borate or aluminate activators comprising cations having alkyl groups and methods for polymerizing olefins using such catalyst systems. In still another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a polymerization process comprising a) contacting one or more olefin monomers with a catalyst system comprising: i) an activator as described herein, ii) a catalyst compound as described herein, and iii) optional support.

The present invention relates to a metal-organic framework composition, as well as constructs and methods thereof. In one particular example, the composition provides a platform having an emission signal in the deep red to near-infrared (NIR) region.

The present invention relates to: a method for converting a hydroxyl group of an alcohol; and a catalyst which makes the method possible. A method for converting a hydroxyl group of an alcohol according to the present invention is characterized by producing a compound represented by CH(R.sup.1)(R.sup.2)Nu (wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and Nu are as defined below) by reacting an alcohol represented by CH(R.sup.1)(R.sup.2)OH (wherein each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group, or the like) and a compound having an active proton, which is represented by H-Nu (wherein Nu represents a group represented by CHX.sup.1-EWG.sup.1 or NR.sup.3R.sup.4; X.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or the like; EWG.sup.1 represents an electron-withdrawing group; and each of R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group, or the like), with each other in the presence of a complex of a group 7-11 metal of the periodic table and at least one solid base that is selected from the group consisting of layered double hydroxides, composite oxides and calcium hydroxide.

Biodegradable polymers with advantageous physical and chemical properties are described, as well as methods for making such polymers. In one embodiment, a new chemical synthesis route to technologically important biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) with high isotacticity and molecular weight required for a practical use is described. The new route can utilize racemic eight-membered cyclic diolide (rac-DL), meso-DL, or a rac-DL and meso-DL mixture, derived from bio-sourced dimethyl succinate, and enantiomeric (R,R)-DL and (S,S)-DL, optically resolved by metal-based catalysts. With a stereoselective racemic molecular catalyst, the ROP of rac-DL under ambient conditions produces rapidly P3HB with essentially perfect isotacticity ([mm]>99%), high crystallinity and melting temperature (T.sub.m=171 C.), as well as high molecular weight and low dispersity (M.sub.n=1.5410.sup.5 g/mol, =1.01).

This invention relates to a Cu-BTC MOF which is water stable. The Cu-BTC MOF has been modified by substituting some of the BTC ligand (1,3,5, benzene tricarboxylic acid) with 5-aminoisophthalic acid (AIA). The resultant MOF retains at least 40% of its as synthesized surface area after exposure to liquid water at 60 C. for 6 hours. This is an unexpected result versus the MOF containing only the BTC ligand. This MOF can be used to abate contaminants such as ammonia in gas streams and especially air streams.

This invention relates to a Cu-BTC MOF which is water stable. The Cu-BTC MOF has open coordination sites and has been post synthesis modified by partially occupying the open sites with a ligand such as acetonitrile (CH.sub.3CN). The resultant MOF retains at least 40% of its as synthesized surface area after exposure to liquid water at 60 C. for 6 hours. This is an unexpected result versus the MOF which has not been post treated with ligands such as acetonitrile. This MOF can be used to abate contaminants such as ammonia in gas streams and especially air streams.

Phenoxyimine-based complexes, when activated, are suitable for catalyzing ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reactions of cyclopentene and a comonomer under mild reaction conditions, for example, at reaction temperatures of about 196 C. and about 70 C. in diluents like toluene. The use of such activated phenoxyimine-based complexes may favor polymer products with a high cis-content.