In one embodiment, the present application discloses ligands of the formula A, wherein the variables are as described herein, and methods for using the ligands in cross-coupling reactions in organic and polar media:

##STR00001##

In one embodiment, the present application discloses ligands of the formula A, wherein the variables are as described herein, and methods for using the ligands in cross-coupling reactions in organic and polar media:

##STR00001##

Methods and compositions for synthesizing dienes and derivative thereof, such as isoprene, in Cupriavidus necator are provided.

A process of preparing olefins of the formula (I) is described herein: ##STR00001##
with R.sup.1 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.30)hydrocarbyl, and R.sup.2 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.20)hydrocarbyl. The process includes reacting a compound of formula (II) ##STR00002##
wherein Ar is chosen from ##STR00003##
in the presence of a palladium-based catalyst and an organic solvent. A process of preparing olefins of the formula (III) is also described: ##STR00004##
with R.sup.3 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.30)hydrocarbyl, R.sup.4 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.20)hydrocarbyl, and R.sup.5 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.30) hydrocarbyl. The process includes reacting a compound of formula (IV) ##STR00005##
wherein Ar is chosen from ##STR00006##
with a compound of formula (V) ##STR00007##
wherein Ar is chosen from ##STR00008##
in the presence of a palladium-based catalyst and an organic solvent.

A process of preparing olefins of the formula (I) is described herein: ##STR00001##
with R.sup.1 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.30)hydrocarbyl, and R.sup.2 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.20)hydrocarbyl. The process includes reacting a compound of formula (II) ##STR00002##
wherein Ar is chosen from ##STR00003##
in the presence of a palladium-based catalyst and an organic solvent. A process of preparing olefins of the formula (III) is also described: ##STR00004##
with R.sup.3 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.30)hydrocarbyl, R.sup.4 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.20)hydrocarbyl, and R.sup.5 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.30) hydrocarbyl. The process includes reacting a compound of formula (IV) ##STR00005##
wherein Ar is chosen from ##STR00006##
with a compound of formula (V) ##STR00007##
wherein Ar is chosen from ##STR00008##
in the presence of a palladium-based catalyst and an organic solvent.

The invention provides a method of alkene metathesis comprising contacting at least a first alkene, which is cardanol and/or anacardic acid, with an alkylidene ruthenium alkene metathesis catalyst comprising two ligands P.sup.1 and P.sup.2, which may be the same or different and of formula P(R.sup.1).sup.3, in which P is a phosphorus atom coordinated to the ruthenium ion and each R.sup.1 is independently an optionally substituted alkyl or alkoxy group; or two R.sup.1 groups within one P.sup.1 or P.sup.2 ligand constitute an optionally substituted bicycloalkyl.

The invention provides a method of alkene metathesis comprising contacting at least a first alkene, which is cardanol and/or anacardic acid, with an alkylidene ruthenium alkene metathesis catalyst comprising two ligands P.sup.1 and P.sup.2, which may be the same or different and of formula P(R.sup.1).sup.3, in which P is a phosphorus atom coordinated to the ruthenium ion and each R.sup.1 is independently an optionally substituted alkyl or alkoxy group; or two R.sup.1 groups within one P.sup.1 or P.sup.2 ligand constitute an optionally substituted bicycloalkyl.

Co-extraction techniques for separating and purifying butadiene and isoprene from a C.sub.4 hydrocarbon mixture including butadiene and a C.sub.5 hydrocarbon mixture including isoprene are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a dimerization heat exchanger, a C.sub.5 purification column; an extraction zone including a mainwasher column, a rectifier column and an afterwasher column; a distillation zone; a degassing zone; and an isoprene finishing column. The system can further include a C.sub.5 washer column, an absorption column, and a distillation column.

An object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing an octadiene from 2,7-octadienyl formate in an industrially useful manner in which palladium can maintain its catalytic activity for a long period of time. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for producing an octadiene which includes the steps of continuously adding 2,7-octadienyl formate into a reaction system in which a mixture of a palladium compound, a tertiary organophosphorus compound and a solvent is present; and subjecting the 2,7-octadienyl formate to reaction while continuously distilling off a reaction product containing the resulting octadiene out of the reaction system.

An object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing an octadiene from 2,7-octadienyl formate in an industrially useful manner in which palladium can maintain its catalytic activity for a long period of time. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for producing an octadiene which includes the steps of continuously adding 2,7-octadienyl formate into a reaction system in which a mixture of a palladium compound, a tertiary organophosphorus compound and a solvent is present; and subjecting the 2,7-octadienyl formate to reaction while continuously distilling off a reaction product containing the resulting octadiene out of the reaction system.