Provided are methods and materials for the functionalization of a heteroalkane or arene using an oxidizing electrophile as a stoichiometric agent or catalyst. The reaction involves the replacement of a hydrogen atom on an sp3-hybridized carbon atom of the heteroalkane or of a hydrogen atom on an sp2-hybridized carbon atom of the arene. A main group element organometallic intermediate is formed that undergoes further conversion to a functionalized heteroalkane or arene.

Provided are methods and materials for the functionalization of a heteroalkane or arene using an oxidizing electrophile as a stoichiometric agent or catalyst. The reaction involves the replacement of a hydrogen atom on an sp3-hybridized carbon atom of the heteroalkane or of a hydrogen atom on an sp2-hybridized carbon atom of the arene. A main group element organometallic intermediate is formed that undergoes further conversion to a functionalized heteroalkane or arene.

A process for selective oxidation of dimethyl-1,1-biphenyl to form methyl-1,1-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s), comprising contacting a solution of dimethyl-1,1-biphenyl in acetic acid solvent in the presence of a Co(II) acetate catalyst and air, and optionally adding a co-solvent, or adding sodium or potassium acetate, and oxidizing the dimethyl-1,1-biphenyl under time and temperature conditions sufficient to form one or more methyl-1,1-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s). The mono-carboxylic acids are advantageously isolated and esterified to form biphenyl mono-esters for use as plasticizers.

A process for selective oxidation of dimethyl-1,1-biphenyl to form methyl-1,1-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s), comprising contacting a solution of dimethyl-1,1-biphenyl in acetic acid solvent in the presence of a Co(II) acetate catalyst and air, and optionally adding a co-solvent, or adding sodium or potassium acetate, and oxidizing the dimethyl-1,1-biphenyl under time and temperature conditions sufficient to form one or more methyl-1,1-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s). The mono-carboxylic acids are advantageously isolated and esterified to form biphenyl mono-esters for use as plasticizers.

A process for selective oxidation of dimethyl-1,1-biphenyl(s) to form methyl-1,1-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s), which can be esterified to form plasticizers, comprising contacting a solution of dimethyl-1,1-biphenyl(s) in acetic acid in the presence of an oxidation catalyst and air under time and temperature conditions sufficient to oxidize the dimethyl-1,1-biphenyl(s) into one or more methyl-1,1-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s) products, conducting at least one of (i) adding an antisolvent, or (ii) optimizing a total conversion of dimethyl-1,1-biphenyl(s) by oxidation based upon a molar ratio of dimethyl-1,1-biphenyl isomers, or (iii) precipitating the methyl-1,1-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s) products by lowering the temperature, or (iv) decreasing the oxidation reaction temperature to enhance conversion of aldehydes over methyl functional groups, so as to limit over-oxidation of the dimethyl-1,1-biphenyl(s), wherein the oxidation reaction is conducted in the absence of bromide-containing catalysts.

The invention generally relates to methods of making substituted arenes via direct CH amination. More specifically, methods of making para- and ortho-substituted arenes via direct CH amination are disclosed. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

The invention generally relates to methods of making substituted arenes via direct CH amination. More specifically, methods of making para- and ortho-substituted arenes via direct CH amination are disclosed. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

An efficient, low-temperature process to convert well-defined olefin oligomers, particularly butene oligomers to branched chain alcohols suitable for use as precursors to plasticizers commonly used in industry, and more specifically, the olefin feedstocks can be conveniently and renewably produced from short chain alcohols.

An efficient, low-temperature process to convert well-defined olefin oligomers, particularly butene oligomers to branched chain alcohols suitable for use as precursors to plasticizers commonly used in industry, and more specifically, the olefin feedstocks can be conveniently and renewably produced from short chain alcohols.

The invention relates to a method for producing a shell catalyst that is suitable for producing vinyl acetate monomer (VAM). The invention further relates to a shell catalyst that is obtainable by the method according to the invention and to the use of the shell catalyst according to the invention for producing VAM.