The present disclosure provides for a rhodium-catalyzed oxidative arene alkenylation from arenes and styrenes to prepare stilbene and stilbene derivatives. For example, the present disclosure provides for method of making arenes or substituted arenes, in particular stilbene and stilbene derivatives, from a reaction of an optionally substituted arene and/or optionally substituted styrene. The reaction includes a Rh catalyst or Rh pre-catalyst material and an oxidant, where the Rh catalyst or Rh catalyst formed Rh pre-catalyst material selectively functionalizes CH bond on the arene compound (e.g., benzene or substituted benzene).

Provided herein are trans-cyclic polyacetylenes and methods of preparing the trans-cyclic polyacetylenes.

Novel compositions and systems for closure of wounds are disclosed. The compositions provide devices of improved flexibility and elasticity and are readily applied to wound sites or over wound closure devices. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such compositions. The catalyst provides for rapid curing on topical surfaces such as skin and bonds to such surfaces in about 2-5 minutes.

A dry formulation obtained by desiccation of an emulsion comprises at least one surfactant, at least one lipophilic compound, and at least one metal catalyst. The dry formulation may be used to carry out a catalysed reaction in an aqueous medium. The dry formulation has a water content of less than (10) wt% relative to the total weight of the dry formulation, and wherein: - the at least one surfactant is selected from the group comprising dendrimers of Dendri-TAC type, oligomers of F,TACn or H,TACn type, TPGS 1000, TPGS 750 M, surfactants derived from sugars and/or amino acids, and combinations thereof; - the at least one lipophilic compound is selected from the group comprising lipids, hydrophobic complexing agents and combinations thereof; and - the metal catalyst comprises a metal selected from Groups (3) to (12) of the Periodic Table.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for Rh(I) catalysts, methods of making alkenyl substituted arenes (e.g., allyl arene, vinyl arene, and the like), methods of making alkyl substituted arenes, and the like.

Subject of the invention is a process for producing a biofuel from fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) obtained by transesterification of vegetable oils, comprising the steps of (a) ethenolysis of the fatty acid methyl esters in the presence of ethylene and an ethenolysis catalyst, and (b) isomerizing metathesis in the presence of an isomerization catalyst and a metathesis catalyst.

The invention also relates to biofuels obtainable by the inventive process and to uses of ethylene for adjusting and optimizing biofuels.

Iridium catalysts for nuclear spin polarization enhancement in solution via signal amplification by reversible exchange are provided. The iridium catalysts can be water-soluble iridium catalysts. Also provided are methods for preparing iridium catalysts, and methods of activating and using iridium catalysts for nuclear spin polarization enhancement in solution via signal amplification by reversible exchange.

Provided herein are methods of catalytic hydrosilylation, including triggerable methods, using metal-ligand complexes as catalysts, characterized by formula ML.sub.xD.sub.y; wherein: M is a metal; x is equal to the oxidation state of M; each D is independently a neutral coordinating ligand; y is zero or an integer selected from the range of 1 to 4; and each L is independently a mono-anionic ligand. L may be a η.sup.1,η.sup.2-β,β-disubstituted-ω-alkenyl ligand.

The invention relates to a method for the non-stereoselective and also for the stereoselective synthesis of astaxanthin from astacin. For this purpose, a reducing agent is used selected from the group of hydrogen, a secondary alcohol, formic acid and also the salts of formic acid or from a mixture of at least two representatives of the compound classes stated above. The invention further relates to the use of astacin as starting compound for the synthesis of astaxanthin.

An organometallic complex catalyst that makes it possible to obtain a higher yield of a desired product than conventional catalysts in a cross-coupling reaction. The organometallic complex catalyst has a structure represented by formula (1) and is for use in a cross-coupling reaction. In formula (1), M is the coordination center and represents a metal atom such as Pd or an ion thereof. R1, R2, and R3 may be the same or different and are a substituent such as a hydrogen atom. R4, R5, R6, and R7 may be the same or different and are a substituent such as a hydrogen atom. X represents a halogen atom. R8 represents a substituent that has a π bond and 3-20 carbon atoms. With regard to the electron-donating properties of R1-R7 with respect to the coordination center M of the ligand containing R1-R7 that is indicated in formula (2), R1-R7 are arranged in combination such that the TEP value obtained from infrared spectroscopy shifts toward the low frequency side compared to the TEP value of the ligand of formula (2-1).

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