A method of preparing a 2,6 disubstituted anilines includes, reacting a 2-amino isophthalic acid diester with sufficient Grignard reagent R.sub.2CH.sub.2MgX to form the corresponding diol product, dehydrating the diol product to the corresponding dialkene; and hydrogenating the diol product to form the corresponding aniline. The 2,6 disubstituted anilines can be used to produce N-Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHCs). The NHCs can find application in various fields such as organic synthesis, catalysis and macromolecular chemistry. Palladium catalysts containing the NHCs are also described.

A method of preparing a 2,6 disubstituted anilines includes, reacting a 2-amino isophthalic acid diester with sufficient Grignard reagent R.sub.2CH.sub.2MgX to form the corresponding diol product, dehydrating the diol product to the corresponding dialkene; and hydrogenating the diol product to form the corresponding aniline. The 2,6 disubstituted anilines can be used to produce N-Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHCs). The NHCs can find application in various fields such as organic synthesis, catalysis and macromolecular chemistry. Palladium catalysts containing the NHCs are also described.

A method of reducing a C—O bond to the corresponding C—H bond in a substrate, which could be a benzylic alcohol, allylic alcohol, ester or an ether bond beta to a hydroxyl group or alpha to a carbonyl group using a recyclable metal catalyst system. The recyclable catalyst system is also applicable to reducing a C═O bond to the corresponding C—OH bond and then C—H bond. These methodologies can be linked in one-pot to selective oxidation and depolymerizations of aromatic polyols such as lignin.

A method of reducing a C—O bond to the corresponding C—H bond in a substrate, which could be a benzylic alcohol, allylic alcohol, ester or an ether bond beta to a hydroxyl group or alpha to a carbonyl group using a recyclable metal catalyst system. The recyclable catalyst system is also applicable to reducing a C═O bond to the corresponding C—OH bond and then C—H bond. These methodologies can be linked in one-pot to selective oxidation and depolymerizations of aromatic polyols such as lignin.

A supported catalyst having rhodium particles with an average diameter of less than 1 nm disposed on a support material containing magnetic iron oxide (e.g. Fe.sub.3O.sub.4). A method of producing the supported catalyst and a process of reducing nitroarenes to corresponding aromatic amines employing the supported catalyst with a high product yield are also described. The supported catalyst may be recovered with ease using an external magnet and reused.

A supported catalyst having rhodium particles with an average diameter of less than 1 nm disposed on a support material containing magnetic iron oxide (e.g. Fe.sub.3O.sub.4). A method of producing the supported catalyst and a process of reducing nitroarenes to corresponding aromatic amines employing the supported catalyst with a high product yield are also described. The supported catalyst may be recovered with ease using an external magnet and reused.

A supported catalyst having rhodium particles with an average diameter of less than 1 nm disposed on a support material containing magnetic iron oxide (e.g. Fe.sub.3O.sub.4). A method of producing the supported catalyst and a process of reducing nitroarenes to corresponding aromatic amines employing the supported catalyst with a high product yield are also described. The supported catalyst may be recovered with ease using an external magnet and reused.

A supported catalyst having rhodium particles with an average diameter of less than 1 nm disposed on a support material containing magnetic iron oxide (e.g. Fe.sub.3O.sub.4). A method of producing the supported catalyst and a process of reducing nitroarenes to corresponding aromatic amines employing the supported catalyst with a high product yield are also described. The supported catalyst may be recovered with ease using an external magnet and reused.

A method for converting an N,N-dialkylamide compound into an ester compound includes using a fourth period transition metal complex as a catalyst. The fourth period transition metal complex is obtained by a reaction of a precursor having a fourth period transition metal with a nitrogen-containing compound or a phosphorus-containing compound.

A method of preparing a 2,6 disubstituted anilines includes, reacting a 2-amino isophthalic acid diester with sufficient Grignard reagent R.sub.2CH.sub.2MgX to form the corresponding diol product, dehydrating the diol product to the corresponding dialkene; and hydrogenating the diol product to form the corresponding aniline. The 2,6 disubstituted anilines can be used to produce N-Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHCs). The NHCs can find application in various fields such as organic synthesis, catalysis and macromolecular chemistry. Palladium catalysts containing the NHCs are also described.