In one aspect, the invention provides a method for synthesizing a fatty olefin derivative. The method includes: a) contacting an olefin according to Formula I ##STR00001##
with a metathesis reaction partner according to Formula IIb ##STR00002##
in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesis product according to Formula IIIb: ##STR00003##
and
b) converting the metathesis product to the fatty olefin derivative. Each R.sup.1 is independently selected from H, C.sub.1-18 alkyl, and C.sub.2-18 alkenyl; R.sup.2b is C.sub.1-8 alkyl; subscript y is an integer ranging from 0 to 17; and subscript z is an integer ranging from 0 to 17. In certain embodiments, the metathesis catalyst is a tungsten catalyst or a molybdenum catalyst. In various embodiments, the fatty olefin derivative is a pheromone. Pheromone compositions and methods of using them are also described.

A method for making cyclopentadiene fuels comprising producing cyclopent-2-en-1-one or a mixture of cyclopent-2-en-1-one from a bio-based source. The cyclopent-2-en-1-one or the mixture of cyclopent-2-en-1-one is hydrogenated, thereby forming cyclopent-2-en-1-ol or a mixture of cyclopent-2-en-1-ol. The cyclopent-2-en-1-ol or the mixture of cyclopent-2-en-1-ol is dehydrated with a dehydrating agent, thereby forming cyclopentadiene or a mixture of cyclopentadiene. The cyclopentadiene or mixture of cyclopentadiene is converted to dicyclopentadiene or dihydrodicyclopentadiene. The dicyclopentadiene or dihydrodicyclopentadiene is hydrogenated, thereby forming tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene. The tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene is isomerized, thereby forming exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene.

A method for making cyclopentadiene fuels comprising producing cyclopent-2-en-1-one or a mixture of cyclopent-2-en-1-one from a bio-based source. The cyclopent-2-en-1-one or the mixture of cyclopent-2-en-1-one is hydrogenated, thereby forming cyclopent-2-en-1-ol or a mixture of cyclopent-2-en-1-ol. The cyclopent-2-en-1-ol or the mixture of cyclopent-2-en-1-ol is dehydrated with a dehydrating agent, thereby forming cyclopentadiene or a mixture of cyclopentadiene. The cyclopentadiene or mixture of cyclopentadiene is converted to dicyclopentadiene or dihydrodicyclopentadiene. The dicyclopentadiene or dihydrodicyclopentadiene is hydrogenated, thereby forming tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene. The tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene is isomerized, thereby forming exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene.

Methods of producing hydrogen are described. A method can include combining an aqueous base, formaldehyde, and a transition metal complex having a coordination bond between a transition metal and a leaving group to form a homogeneous aqueous solution having a basic pH. The leaving group dissociates from the transition metal complex in response to light and/or the basic pH of the solution to produce hydrogen (H2) gas and formate or a salt thereof from the formaldehyde present in the homogeneous aqueous solution. Subsequent hydrogenation of the formate or a salt thereof produces formaldehyde.

Methods of producing hydrogen are described. A method can include combining an aqueous base, formaldehyde, and a transition metal complex having a coordination bond between a transition metal and a leaving group to form a homogeneous aqueous solution having a basic pH. The leaving group dissociates from the transition metal complex in response to light and/or the basic pH of the solution to produce hydrogen (H2) gas and formate or a salt thereof from the formaldehyde present in the homogeneous aqueous solution. Subsequent hydrogenation of the formate or a salt thereof produces formaldehyde.

Methods of producing hydrogen are described. A method can include combining an aqueous base, formaldehyde, and a transition metal complex having a coordination bond between a transition metal and a leaving group to form a homogeneous aqueous solution having a basic pH. The leaving group dissociates from the transition metal complex in response to light and/or the basic pH of the solution to produce hydrogen (H2) gas and formate or a salt thereof from the formaldehyde present in the homogeneous aqueous solution. Subsequent hydrogenation of the formate or a salt thereof produces formaldehyde.

A process that allows halogenation at the alpha-H position of alkylarenes, optionally further substituted on the aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, is described.

A process that allows halogenation at the alpha-H position of alkylarenes, optionally further substituted on the aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, is described.

The present disclosure relates to a method that includes a first treating of a first mixture that includes a carboxylic acid having between 2 and 12 carbon atoms, inclusively, to form a second mixture that includes a ketone having between 2 and 25 carbon atoms, inclusively, and a second treating of at least a first portion of the second mixture to form a first product that includes a paraffin having 8 or more carbon atoms.

The present disclosure relates to a method that includes a first treating of a first mixture that includes a carboxylic acid having between 2 and 12 carbon atoms, inclusively, to form a second mixture that includes a ketone having between 2 and 25 carbon atoms, inclusively, and a second treating of at least a first portion of the second mixture to form a first product that includes a paraffin having 8 or more carbon atoms.