The invention describes phospho-amino pincer-type ligands, metal complexes thereof, and catalytic methods comprising such metal complexes for conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol, conversion of aldehydes into alcohols, conversion of aldehydes in the presence of a trifluoromethylation agent into trifluorinated secondary alcohols, cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to an epoxide to provide cyclic carbonates or preparation of an amide from the combination of an alcohol and an amine.

The invention describes phospho-amino pincer-type ligands, metal complexes thereof, and catalytic methods comprising such metal complexes for conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol, conversion of aldehydes into alcohols, conversion of aldehydes in the presence of a trifluoromethylation agent into trifluorinated secondary alcohols, cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to an epoxide to provide cyclic carbonates or preparation of an amide from the combination of an alcohol and an amine.

The invention provides an electrocatalyst. The electrocatalyst comprises carbon nanospikes (CNS) and copper nanoparticles. The copper nanoparticles are supported on and/or embedded in the CNS. The electrocatalyst can be used to convert carbon dioxide into ethanol.

Embodiments include a method for converting renewable energy source electricity and a hydrocarbon feedstock into a liquid fuel by providing a source of renewable electrical energy in communication with a synthesis gas generation unit and an air separation unit. Oxygen from the air separation unit and a hydrocarbon feedstock is provided to the synthesis gas generation unit, thereby causing partial oxidation reactions in the synthesis gas generation unit in a process that converts the hydrocarbon feedstock into synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is then converted into a liquid fuel.

Embodiments include a method for converting renewable energy source electricity and a hydrocarbon feedstock into a liquid fuel by providing a source of renewable electrical energy in communication with a synthesis gas generation unit and an air separation unit. Oxygen from the air separation unit and a hydrocarbon feedstock is provided to the synthesis gas generation unit, thereby causing partial oxidation reactions in the synthesis gas generation unit in a process that converts the hydrocarbon feedstock into synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is then converted into a liquid fuel.

Provided is a methanol plant that can obtain fresh water from sea water by using, in a seawater desalination device, the exhaust heat discharged in a step for producing methanol from natural gas. The methanol plant is provided with: a heat exchanger (4) that recovers into a thermal medium (for example, seawater) the exhaust heat discharged from a step for producing methanol from a feed stock (for example, natural gas); and a seawater desalinization device (6) that obtains freshwater from seawater using the exhaust heat recovered by means of the thermal medium.

The invention describes phospho-amino pincer-type ligands, metal complexes thereof, and catalytic methods comprising such metal complexes for conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol, conversion of aldehydes into alcohols, conversion of aldehydes in the presence of a trifluoromethylation agent into trifluorinated secondary alcohols, cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to an epoxide to provide cyclic carbonates or preparation of an amide from the combination of an alcohol and an amine.

The invention describes phospho-amino pincer-type ligands, metal complexes thereof, and catalytic methods comprising such metal complexes for conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol, conversion of aldehydes into alcohols, conversion of aldehydes in the presence of a trifluoromethylation agent into trifluorinated secondary alcohols, cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to an epoxide to provide cyclic carbonates or preparation of an amide from the combination of an alcohol and an amine.

An efficient process useful for the self-condensation of aliphatic aldehydes is provided, catalyzed by dialkylammonium carboxylate salts. In particular, the invention provides a facile method for the preparation of 2-ethyl hexenal via the self-condensation of butyraldehyde using various dialkylammonium carboxylates, e.g., diisopropylammonium acetate or dimethylammonium acetate, as catalyst. Additionally, residual nitrogen arising from the catalyst can be reduced to −100 ppm levels in the product via a simple washing procedure. The invention provides a process for preparing alkenals under conditions which limit the formation of undesired impurities and high-boiling oligomeric substances.

An efficient process useful for the self-condensation of aliphatic aldehydes is provided, catalyzed by dialkylammonium carboxylate salts. In particular, the invention provides a facile method for the preparation of 2-ethyl hexenal via the self-condensation of butyraldehyde using various dialkylammonium carboxylates, e.g., diisopropylammonium acetate or dimethylammonium acetate, as catalyst. Additionally, residual nitrogen arising from the catalyst can be reduced to −100 ppm levels in the product via a simple washing procedure. The invention provides a process for preparing alkenals under conditions which limit the formation of undesired impurities and high-boiling oligomeric substances.