Catalysts and methods for transformation of glycerol and a carbon feedstock, such as CO.sub.2, a carbonate salt or a bicarbonate salt, are described herein. Homogeneous catalysts include compounds of formula M[NHC-R-linker]aLbXc, where M is a transition metal, NHC is an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, R is an alkyl or aryl group, linker is a polar group, L is a neutral ligand, X is an anionic ligand, a ranges from 1-3, b ranges from 0-3, and c ranges from 0-3. Heterogeneous catalysts include a solid support with a catalytically active compound immobilized on the solid support, where the catalytically active compound has the formula M[NHC-R-linker]aLbXc where M is a transition metal, NHC is an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, R is an alkyl or aryl group; linker is a polar group, L is a neutral ligand, X is an anionic ligand, a ranges from 1-3, b ranges from 0-3, and c ranges from 0-3.

A method of producing linear alpha olefins includes: preparing a solution A, comprising: introducing an organometallic compound and an organic ligand to a first vessel, wherein the first vessel is in fluid communication with a Schlenk line; and introducing a solvent to the first vessel via the Schlenk line; preparing a solution B separately from solution A, comprising: introducing an ammonium salt to a second vessel, wherein the second vessel is in fluid communication with a Schlenk line; and introducing an organoaluminum compound and a solvent to the second vessel via the Schlenk line; producing the linear alpha olefins by introducing solution A and solution B to an ethylene oligomerization reactor.

A process includes periodically or continuously introducing an olefin monomer and periodically or continuously introducing a catalyst system or catalyst system components into a reaction mixture within a reaction system, oligomerizing the olefin monomer within the reaction mixture to form an oligomer product, and periodically or continuously discharging a reaction system effluent comprising the oligomer product from the reaction system. The reaction system includes a total reaction mixture volume and a heat exchanged portion of the reaction system comprising a heat exchanged reaction mixture volume and a total heat exchanged surface area providing indirect contact between the reaction mixture and a heat exchange medium. A ratio of the total heat exchanged surface area to the total reaction mixture volume within the reaction system is in a range from 0.75 in.sup.1 to 5 in.sup.1, and an oligomer product discharge rate from the reaction system is between 1.0 (lb)(hr.sup.1)(gal.sup.1) to 6.0 (lb)(hr.sup.1)(gal.sup.1).

A process for the preparation of a class of molecules, namely bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes and derivatives thereof by reaction of [1.1.1]propellane with a variety of reagents under irradiation and/or in the presence of radical initiators to obtain bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes asymmetrically substituted at position 1 and 3, which are useful as intermediates for the preparation of asymmetrically 1,3-disubstituted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane derivatives and various physiologically active substances or materials containing these structures.

Disclosed herein are processes, systems, and reaction systems for the oligomerization of ethylene to form an ethylene oligomer product in a reaction zone using a catalyst system having i) a chromium component comprising a heteroatomic ligand chromium compound complex of the type disclosed herein, and ii) an aluminoxane. A C.sub.3+ olefin can be present in the reaction zone for a period of time, where the C.sub.3+ olefin is not an ethylene oligomer formed in-situ within the reaction zone.

The invention relates to a method of forming an olefin from a first olefin and a second olefin in a metathesis reaction, comprising step (i): (i) reacting the first olefin with the second olefin in the presence of a compound that catalyzes said metathesis reaction such that the molar ratio of said compound to the first or the second olefin is from 1:500 or less, and the conversion of the first or the second olefin to said olefin is at least 50%, characterized in that as compound that catalyzes said metathesis reaction a compound of the following formula is used:

##STR00001## wherein M is Mo or W; R.sup.1 is aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, or heteroalkyl; optionally substituted; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkyl, heteroalkenyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; optionally substituted; R.sup.5 is alkyl, alkoxy, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, silylalkyl, silyloxy, optionally substituted; and R.sup.4 is a residue R.sup.6X, wherein X=O and R.sup.6 is aryl, optionally substituted; or X=S and R.sup.6 is aryl, optionally substituted; or X=O and R.sup.6 is (R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9)Si; wherein R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9 are alkyl or phenyl, optionally substituted; or X=O and R.sup.6 is (R.sup.10, R.sup.11, R.sub.12)C, wherein R.sup.10, R.sup.11, R.sup.12 are independently selected from phenyl, alkyl; optionally substituted; and to the catalysts used in the method.

The invention relates to a process for producing an oligomerization catalyst comprising nickel oxide and a silicon-alumina support material, wherein the silica-alumina support material is in the ammonium form. The present invention further relates to a process for oligomerization of C3- to C6-olefins using the oligomerization catalyst produced according to the invention.

Disclosed herein are processes, systems, and reaction systems for the oligomerization of ethylene to form an ethylene oligomer product in a reaction zone using a catalyst system having i) a chromium component comprising a heteroatomic ligand chromium compound complex of the type disclosed herein, and ii) an aluminoxane. A C.sub.3+ olefin can be present in the reaction zone for a period of time, where the C.sub.3+ olefin is not an ethylene oligomer formed in-situ within the reaction zone.

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 is provided of forming an olefin from a first olefin and a second olefin in a metathesis reaction, comprising reacting the first olefin with the second olefin in the presence of a compound that catalyzes the metathesis reaction such that the molar ratio of the compound to the first or the second olefin is from 1:500 or less, and the conversion of the first or the second olefin to the olefin is at least 30%.