The present invention relates to catalysts, more particularly to a cobalt-containing catalyst composition. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing a cobalt-containing catalyst precursor, a process for preparing a cobalt-containing catalyst, and a hydrocarbon synthesis process wherein such a catalyst is used. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cobalt-containing catalyst composition comprising cobalt and/or a cobalt compound supported on and/or in a silica (SiO.sub.2) catalyst support wherein the average pore diameter of the catalyst support is more than 20 nm but less than 50 nm; the catalyst composition also including a titanium compound on and/or in the catalyst support, and a manganese compound on and/or in the catalyst support.

Methods of CH bond fluorination using non-heme manganese catalyst are described herein. For example, a method comprises providing a reaction mixture including a non-heme manganese catalyst, a substrate comprising an sp.sup.3 CH bond and a fluorinating agent and converting the sp.sup.3 CH bond to a CF bond in the presence of the non-heme manganese catalyst or a derivative thereof.

Methods of CH bond fluorination using non-heme manganese catalyst are described herein. For example, a method comprises providing a reaction mixture including a non-heme manganese catalyst, a substrate comprising an sp.sup.3 CH bond and a fluorinating agent and converting the sp.sup.3 CH bond to a CF bond in the presence of the non-heme manganese catalyst or a derivative thereof.

The invention provides a method capable of more simply and efficiently producing halogen-containing pyrazolecarboxylic acids useful as pharmaceutical or agrochemical intermediates, in a manner suitable for industrial production. In particular, the invention provides a method of producing a compound represented by the formula (b), which comprises reacting a compound represented by the formula (a) with oxygen in the presence of a compound containing a transition metal atom to obtain the compound represented by the formula (b):

##STR00001##

wherein each symbol is as described in the description.

The invention provides a method capable of more simply and efficiently producing halogen-containing pyrazolecarboxylic acids useful as pharmaceutical or agrochemical intermediates, in a manner suitable for industrial production. In particular, the invention provides a method of producing a compound represented by the formula (b), which comprises reacting a compound represented by the formula (a) with oxygen in the presence of a compound containing a transition metal atom to obtain the compound represented by the formula (b):

##STR00001##

wherein each symbol is as described in the description.

The synthesis and structure of beta-diketiminate manganese compounds are described, as well as their use as catalysts for the hydrosilylation and hydroboration of unsaturated organic compounds and main group element-main group element bond formation via dehydrogenative coupling.

The synthesis and structure of beta-diketiminate manganese compounds are described, as well as their use as catalysts for the hydrosilylation and hydroboration of unsaturated organic compounds and main group element-main group element bond formation via dehydrogenative coupling.

Disclosed in certain implementations is a catalysis composition that includes a metal catalyst and a support material impregnated with the metal catalyst.

Disclosed in certain implementations is a catalysis composition that includes a metal catalyst and a support material impregnated with the metal catalyst.

Disclosed in certain implementations is a catalysis composition that includes a metal catalyst and a support material impregnated with the metal catalyst.