The invention relates to a process for obtaining a formate from a reaction mixture (10) in which a polyoxometallate ion, which acts as a catalyst, is in contact with an organic material at a temperature below 120° C. to produce formic acid in an aqueous solution, with the following steps. a) separating a mixture of formic acid and water from the reaction mixture by reverse osmosis and/or as vapor (18), the vapor (18) subsequently being condensed, and b) reacting the formic acid with a hydroxide (24) in aqueous solution to produce a solution of a formate.

The invention relates to carbon dioxide dioxaphosphetane compositions, including solid carbon dioxide dioxaphosphetane compositions. The invention includes compositions and methods for the capture, storage, and recycling of carbon, including methods of boric acid catalyzed reduction of carbonates in aqueous media and the use of phosphate solutions for capture and recycling of carbon.

The invention relates to carbon dioxide dioxaphosphetane compositions, including solid carbon dioxide dioxaphosphetane compositions. The invention includes compositions and methods for the capture, storage, and recycling of carbon, including methods of boric acid catalyzed reduction of carbonates in aqueous media and the use of phosphate solutions for capture and recycling of carbon.

Disclosed is a method of producing hydrogen (H.sub.2) gas and calcium carbonate from formaldehyde. The method includes 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, wherein the leaving group dissociates from the transition metal complex in response to light and/or the basic pH of the solution, producing hydrogen (H.sub.2) gas and formate or a salt thereof from the formaldehyde present in the homogeneous aqueous solution, and producing calcium carbonate using the formate or salt thereof as a carbon source.

Disclosed is a method of producing hydrogen (H.sub.2) gas and calcium carbonate from formaldehyde. The method includes 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, wherein the leaving group dissociates from the transition metal complex in response to light and/or the basic pH of the solution, producing hydrogen (H.sub.2) gas and formate or a salt thereof from the formaldehyde present in the homogeneous aqueous solution, and producing calcium carbonate using the formate or salt thereof as a carbon source.

A quaternary ammonium salt of formula wherein each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is independently selected from an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group having less than 8 carbon atoms and R.sup.5 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group.

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[Problem] To provide a magnesium hydroxide-based solid solution which has smaller primary particles and secondary particles and improved reactivity with an acid as compared with conventional magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH).sub.2), improves the flame retardancy and mechanical strength of a resin, and also forms a non-sedimenting slurry, providing the same handleability as a liquid.

[Structure] A magnesium hydroxide-based solid solution represented by the following formula (1): Mg(OH).sub.2-xR.sub.x (Formula 1), wherein R represents a monovalent organic acid, and x represents 0<x<1. The magnesium hydroxide-based solid solution is a magnesium oxide (MgO) precursor. A flame retardant for a synthetic resin, including the magnesium hydroxide-based solid solution as an active ingredient. A synthetic resin composition characterized by including 0.1 to 50 parts by weight of the magnesium hydroxide-based solid solution (b) per 100 parts by weight of a synthetic resin (a); and a molded article thereof.

[Problem] To provide a magnesium hydroxide-based solid solution which has smaller primary particles and secondary particles and improved reactivity with an acid as compared with conventional magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH).sub.2), improves the flame retardancy and mechanical strength of a resin, and also forms a non-sedimenting slurry, providing the same handleability as a liquid.

[Structure] A magnesium hydroxide-based solid solution represented by the following formula (1): Mg(OH).sub.2-xR.sub.x (Formula 1), wherein R represents a monovalent organic acid, and x represents 0<x<1. The magnesium hydroxide-based solid solution is a magnesium oxide (MgO) precursor. A flame retardant for a synthetic resin, including the magnesium hydroxide-based solid solution as an active ingredient. A synthetic resin composition characterized by including 0.1 to 50 parts by weight of the magnesium hydroxide-based solid solution (b) per 100 parts by weight of a synthetic resin (a); and a molded article thereof.

Processes for producing a disubstituted oxalate are disclosed. The process includes contacting a mixture of cesium salt and gamma alumina with one or more alcohols and carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) under reaction conditions sufficient to produce a composition comprising a disubstituted oxalate.

Processes for producing a disubstituted oxalate are disclosed. The process includes contacting a mixture of cesium salt and gamma alumina with one or more alcohols and carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) under reaction conditions sufficient to produce a composition comprising a disubstituted oxalate.