Provided in the present invention is a method for preparing chiral alkyl compounds by the asymmetric hydrogenation reaction of iron complex catalysts catalysing olefins: using the disubstituted olefin shown in formula I as a raw material, atmospheric hydrogen as a hydrogen source, FeX2-8-OIQ complex as a catalyst, and a silane compound and acetonitrile as cocatalysts, and reacting for 12-24 hours under the action of a reducing agent to prepare the chiral alkyl compound shown in formula II. The method of the present invention has mild reaction conditions, simple operation, and high atom economy. In addition, the reaction does not require the addition of any other toxic transition metal (such as ruthenium, rhodium, and palladium), and has great practical application value in the synthesis of drugs and materials. The conversion rate of the reaction is also good, generally reaching >99%, and the enantioselectivity is also high, generally 70-99%. ##STR00001## ##STR00002##

A method to generate dense, multi-cyclic diamondoid fuels from bio-derived sesquiterpenes. This process can be conducted with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts and produces the targeted isomers in high yield. The resulting multi-cyclic structures impart significantly higher densities and volumetric net heats of combustion while maintaining low viscosities which allow for use at low temperature/high altitude. Moreover, bio-derived sesquiterpenes can be produced from renewable biomass sources. Use of these fuels will decrease Navy dependence on fossil fuels and will also reduce net carbon emissions.

A method to generate dense, multi-cyclic diamondoid fuels from bio-derived sesquiterpenes. This process can be conducted with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts and produces the targeted isomers in high yield. The resulting multi-cyclic structures impart significantly higher densities and volumetric net heats of combustion while maintaining low viscosities which allow for use at low temperature/high altitude. Moreover, bio-derived sesquiterpenes can be produced from renewable biomass sources. Use of these fuels will decrease Navy dependence on fossil fuels and will also reduce net carbon emissions.

This disclosure relates to a one-step process for making BCI. The process involves contacting a starting material comprising MCDDK with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst mixture in a reaction zone to produce a product mixture comprising BCI, wherein the catalyst mixture comprises a solid acid catalyst and a hydrogenation catalyst.

This disclosure relates to a one-step process for making BCI. The process involves contacting a starting material comprising MCDDK with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst mixture in a reaction zone to produce a product mixture comprising BCI, wherein the catalyst mixture comprises a solid acid catalyst and a hydrogenation catalyst.