The present invention provides a process for preparing a water splitting catalyst containing [Mn.sub.4CaO.sub.4] core structure and use thereof. The present invention provides clusters containing [Mn.sub.4CaO.sub.4] core structure by a chemical synthesis using inexpensive metal ions (Mn.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+ ions), simple carboxyl ligands and a permanganate, performed single crystal X-ray diffraction on their space structure, and characterized their physical and chemical properties with electron spectrum, electrochemical and electron paramagnetic resonance technologies and the like. These compounds can catalyze water splitting in the presence of oxidant to release oxygen and can also catalyze water splitting on the surface of an electrode to release electrons onto the surface of the electrode to form a current.

A highly pure optically active proton pump inhibitor compound can be produced safely and inexpensively in a high yield and enantioselectivity by a method of producing an optically active sulfoxide of Formula 2 or a salt thereof, comprising oxidizing a sulfide of Formula 1 or a salt thereof with hydrogen peroxide using an iron salt in the presence of a chiral ligand of Formula 3; wherein A is CH or N; R.sup.1 is hydrogen atom, an alkyl optionally substituted by halogen(s), or an alkoxy optionally substituted by halogen(s); one to three R.sup.2 may exist, and each of R.sup.2 is independently an alkyl, a dialkylamino, or an alkoxy optionally substituted by halogen(s) or alkoxy(s); each of R.sup.3 is independently hydrogen atom, a halogen, cyano or the like; R.sup.4 is a tertiary alkyl; and * and ** represent respectively R configuration or S configuration.

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The invention relates to noble metal-oxo clusters represented by the formula [M.sub.s(R.sub.2XO.sub.2).sub.z(OR′).sub.xO.sub.yX′.sub.q] or solvates thereof, corresponding supported noble metal-oxo clusters, and processes for their preparation, as well as corresponding metal cluster units, optionally in the form of a dispersion in a liquid carrier medium or immobilized on a solid support, and processes for their preparation, as well as their use in conversion of organic substrate.

The present invention encompasses a catalyst composition that includes a heterogeneous oligomerization catalyst including a metal-organic framework, the metal-organic framework including a plurality of first metal ions coordinated to one or more ligands, wherein each of the one or more ligands has only one N-heterocyclic aromatic group. The present invention further includes a method of oligomerization that comprises contacting one or more olefins with the heterogeneous oligomerization catalyst to form one or more oligomers, wherein the heterogeneous catalyst comprises the said metal-organic framework and an optional support.

An algae cultivation medium includes a growth medium and at least one of an amine additive and a water-soluble biomimetic catalyst. A related method of increasing carbon shuttling in an algae cultivation medium includes adding at least one of the amine additive and the water-soluble biomimetic catalyst to the algae cultivation medium.

A method of fixating CO.sub.2 to form a substituted oxazolidinone is described. The method includes mixing a nickel-based metal-organic framework (Ni-MOF) catalyst of formula [Ni.sub.3(BTC).sub.2(H.sub.2O).sub.3].Math.(DMF).sub.3(H.sub.2O).sub.3, a cocatalyst, an aromatic amine, and at least one epoxide to form a reaction mixture, and further contacting the reaction mixture with a gas stream containing carbon dioxide to react the carbon dioxide in the gas stream with the epoxide and the aromatic amine to form a substituted oxazolidinone mixture. The method further includes adding a polar protic solvent to the substituted oxazolidinone mixture, centrifuging, and filtering to produce a recovered Ni-MOF; and further washing the recovered Ni-MOF with an organochloride solvent and drying for at least 5 hours to produce a recycled Ni-MOF.

Metal-organic framework materials (MOFs) are highly porous entities comprising a multidentate organic ligand coordinated to multiple metal centers. MOFs having ambient condition stability may comprise a plurality of metal clusters comprising one or more M.sub.4O clusters (M is a metal), and a plurality of 4-pyrazolecarboxylate ligands coordinated to the plurality of metal clusters to define an at least partially crystalline network structure having a plurality of internal pores. The MOFs may have a Pa3 symmetry, which upon activation may convert into Fm3m symmetry. Methods for synthesizing the MOFs may comprise combining a metal source, such as a preformed metal cluster, with 4-pyrazolecarboxylic acid, and reacting the preformed metal cluster with the 4-pyrazolecarboxylic acid to form a MOF having an at least partially crystalline network structure with a plurality of internal pores defined therein and comprising a plurality of metal clusters coordinated to a multidentate organic ligand comprising 4-pyrazolecarboxylate.

Provided are compositions that include a metal-organic framework (MOF) including a framework defining an internal volume, an enzyme disposed within the internal volume, and a surfactant. Also provided are methods of making the compositions and their use.

The subject invention provides synthetic compounds, and compound complexes having catalytic activities towards oxidation or oxygenation, and/or dehydrogenation of various substrates comprising C—H bonds. The catalysts of the subject invention comprise a dinuclear Cu(I)/Cu(II) center that can convert between a resting state and a reactive species. The subject invention also provides methods of using such catalysts for the oxidation of substrates comprising C—H bonds, e.g., hydrocarbons, to synthesize chemicals for use as pharmaceuticals and industrial feedstock.

A method of fixating carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) to a substituted oxazolidinone. The method includes mixing a metal-organic framework (MOF), a co-catalyst, at least one para-substituted aromatic amine, and at least one epoxide to form a mixture. The method further includes contacting the mixture with a gas stream containing CO.sub.2 to react the CO.sub.2 in the gas stream with the epoxide and para-substituted aromatic amine to form a substituted oxazolidinone mixture. The MOF is a UiO-66-X MOF, where X is of formula (I) wherein at least one of R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 is an allyloxy group, and R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are independently an allyloxy group or a hydrogen. ##STR00001##