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 method for synthesizing and application embedded alkaline earth metal oxide solid alkali includes: firstly, synthesizing an alkaline earth metal organic skeleton with single or multiple alkaline earth metals (Mg, Ca and Sr) as central metal elements; and then controlling the heating process to carry out high-temperature pyrolysis in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, so that the alkaline earth metal oxide are embedded in the nano carbon sheet to obtain a solid alkali catalyst. Finally, the catalyst is used to catalyze the transesterification of palm oil and methanol to produce biodiesel. The active site of the solid alkali obtained by the method is anchored on the nano-like carbon sheet, so that the active site is directly exposed on the surface of the catalyst, the catalytic activity is improved, the loss of the active site is inhibited, and the stability of the solid alkali catalyst is enhanced.

The present invention provides, inter alia, a multidentate ligand having the structure of: ##STR00001## Also provided are methods of preparing metal complexes from the multidentate ligand, and the metal complexes prepared by such methods. Further provided are catalysts comprising such metal complexes, and various uses of such catalysts.

Disclosed are complexes and methods of using the complexes as catalysts for addition of amines to unsaturated electrophiles, as well as novel compounds produced by the disclosed complexes and methods. The disclosed methods may utilize the disclosed complexes as catalysts for adding unprotected primary amines and secondary amines to unsaturated electrophiles in an enantioselective manner to produce novel compounds which may include amino substituted succinimide compounds.

Disclosed are complexes and methods of using the complexes as catalysts for addition of amines to unsaturated electrophiles, as well as novel compounds produced by the disclosed complexes and methods. The disclosed methods may utilize the disclosed complexes as catalysts for adding unprotected primary amines and secondary amines to unsaturated electrophiles in an enantioselective manner to produce novel compounds which may include amino substituted succinimide compounds.

The present invention relates to the field of polymerisation catalysts, and systems comprising these catalysts for polymerising carbon dioxide and an epoxide, a lactide and/or lactone, and/or an epoxide and an anhydride. The catalyst is of formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein at least one of M.sub.1 or M.sub.2 is selected from Ni(II) and Ni(III)-X. A process for the reaction of carbon dioxide with an epoxide; an epoxide and an anhydride; and/or a lactide and/or a lactone in the presence of the catalyst is also described.

Polymerisation catalysts and systems comprising said catalysts for polymerising carbon dioxide and an epoxide, a lactide and/or lactone, and/or an epoxide and an anhydride. The catalyst is of formula (I):

##STR00001##

Wherein M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 are independently selected from Zn(II), Cr(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Mg(II), Fe(II), Ti(II), V(II), Cr(III)-X, Co(III)-X, Ni(III)-X, Mn(III)-X, Fe(III)-X, Ca(II), Ge(II), AI(III)-X, Ti(III)-X, V(III)-X, Ge(IV)-(X).sub.2 or Ti(IV)-(X).sub.2. R.sub.3A is different from R.sub.3B; and/or at least one occurrence of E.sub.3, E.sub.4, E.sub.5 and E.sub.6 is different to a remaining occurrence of E.sub.3, E.sub.4, E.sub.5 and E.sub.6. A ligand, a process of asymmetric N-substitution of a symmetrical ligand and a process for the reaction of: (i) carbon dioxide with an epoxide; (ii) an epoxide and an anhydride; and/or (iii) a lactide and/or a lactone, in the presence of a catalyst is also described.

A process to form a cyclic olefin polymerization catalyst which includes contacting a metal alkoxide with a transition metal halide to form a transition metal precatalyst, and contacting the transition metal precatalyst with a metal alkyl activator to form the activated catalyst comprising a transition metal carbene moiety. A cyclic olefin polymerization process is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to the field of polymerisation catalysts, and systems comprising said catalysts for polymerising carbon dioxide and an epoxide, a lactide and/or lactone, and/or an epoxide and an anhydride. The catalyst is of formula (I): ##STR00001## Wherein M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 are independently selected from Zn(II), Cr(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Mg(II), Fe(II), Ti(II), V(II), Cr(III)-X, Co(III)-X, Ni(III)-X, Mn(III)-X, Fe(III)-X, Ca(II), Ge(II), Al(III)-X, Ti(III)-X, V(III)-X, Ge(IV)-(X).sub.2 or Ti(IV)-(X).sub.2. R.sub.3A is different from R.sub.3B; and/or at least one occurrence of E.sub.3, E.sub.4, E.sub.5 and E.sub.6 is different to a remaining occurrence of E.sub.3, E.sub.4, E.sub.5 and E.sub.6. A ligand, a process of asymmetric N-substitution of a symmetrical ligand and a process for the reaction of: (i) carbon dioxide with an epoxide; (ii) an epoxide and an anhydride; and/or (iii) a lactide and/or a lactone, in the presence of a catalyst is also described.

Disclosed are complexes and methods of using the complexes as catalysts for addition of amines to unsaturated electrophiles, as well as novel compounds produced by the disclosed complexes and methods. The disclosed methods may utilize the disclosed complexes as catalysts for adding unprotected primary amines and secondary amines to unsaturated electrophiles in an enantioselective manner to produce novel compounds which may include amino substituted succinimide compounds.