The invention pertains to the synthesis of carbamate and urea compounds. In particular the invention is directed to the synthesis of carbamate and urea compounds which may be used in the production of compounds that are used to stabilize nitrocellulose. The method of the invention comprises preparing a carbamate or urea derivative comprising reacting an amine and a carbonate or carbamate in the presence of an ionic liquid.

Provided herein are methods for producing α,β-unsaturated ketones from the condensation of methyl ketones in the presence of an amine catalyst. Such amine catalysts may be supported, for example, on a silica-alumina support. Such amine catalysts may be used in the presence of an additional acid. The α,β-unsaturated ketones may be produced by dimerization and/or timerization of the methyl ketones. Such α,β-unsaturated ketones may be suitable for use in producing fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, or precursors thereof. The methyl ketones may be obtained from renewable sources, such as by the fermentation of biomass.

An article having antifouling properties and intended to be employed in aquatic uses, in particular marine uses, which comprises: a) a support, b) optionally, at least one primer coat on said support comprising at least one anticorrosive product, c) optionally, at least one intermediate primer coat promoting adhesion between the coats, d) at least one adhesion-promoting coat or tie coat, deposited on said primer coat or on said support when the primer coat is absent, and e) at least one antifouling coat or topcoat, deposited on said adhesion-promoting coat or tie coat.

A catalyst system comprising a) a metal complex of the formula CyLMZ.sub.p, wherein M is a group 4 metal Z is an anionic ligand, p is number of 1 to 2, preferably 2 Cy is a cyclopentadienyl-type ligand and, L is a ligand of the formula ##STR00001## wherein each A is independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and phosphorus and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbyl, unsubstituted or substituted silyl and unsubstituted or substituted germyl residues, and b) a boron containing activator, characterized in that the molar ratio of the boron of the activator to M of the metal complex is greater than 2.5.

The invention entails the combination of basic catalysts, specifically guanidine-based catalysts, such as TBD, in conjunction with functionalized amines having a hydrogen bond donating or accepting functionality, to facilitate the accelerated transamidation of polymer compounds with non-activated ester side chains.

A method for the preparation of polyethers is provided, the method using a protic ionic salt formed by the combination of a Bronsted acid and a Bronsted base, as well as to the polyethers obtained using the method.

The invention entails the combination of basic catalysts, specifically guanidine-based catalysts, such as TBD, in conjunction with functionalized amines having a hydrogen bond donating or accepting functionality, to facilitate the accelerated transamidation of polymer compounds with non-activated ester side chains.

D The present invention relates to ion pair catalysts (I) comprising the cationic bisguanidinium ligand (A) and diperoxomolybdate anion (B). The present invention also relates to ion pair catalysts (III) comprising the cationic bisguanidinium ligand (C) and peroxotungstate anion (D). It further relates to the use of the said catalysts in the manufacture of enantiomerically enriched sulfoxides. ##STR00001##

The invention pertains to the synthesis of carbamate and urea compounds. In particular the invention is directed to the synthesis of carbamate and urea compounds which may be used in the production of compounds that are used to stabilize nitrocellulose. The method of the invention comprises preparing a carbamate or urea derivative comprising reacting an amine and a carbonate or carbamate in the presence of an ionic liquid.

A guanidine of the formula (I) and to the use thereof as catalyst for the crosslinking of a functional compound, especially a polymer having silane groups. The guanidine of the formula (I) described is preparable in a simple method via a polyfunctional carbodiimide adduct from the readily available raw materials, and is largely odorless at room temperature and of low toxicity. In spite of its comparatively high molecular weight, it accelerates the crosslinking of functional compounds surprisingly well, and such compositions do not have a tendency to migration-related defects such as separation, exudation or substrate soiling.