A method of reducing an aromatic ring or a cyclic, allylic ether in a compound includes preparing a reaction mixture including a compound including an aromatic moiety or a cyclic, allylic ether moiety, an alkali metal, and either ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, or a combination thereof, in an ether solvent; and reacting the reaction mixture at from −20° C. to 30° C. for a time sufficient to reduce a double bond in the aromatic moiety to a single bond or to reduce the cyclic, allylic ether moiety.

A method of reducing an aromatic ring or a cyclic, allylic ether in a compound includes preparing a reaction mixture including a compound including an aromatic moiety or a cyclic, allylic ether moiety, an alkali metal, and either ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, or a combination thereof, in an ether solvent; and reacting the reaction mixture at from −20° C. to 30° C. for a time sufficient to reduce a double bond in the aromatic moiety to a single bond or to reduce the cyclic, allylic ether moiety.

Methods for producing cycloaddition products comprising: reacting a diene with a dienophile in the presence of one or more boron-based catalysts of Formula I or Formula II are provided. In particular, the methods can be used to prepare 4-methyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid and 3-methyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid, including bio-based versions thereof. The cycloaddition products can be advantageously used in the production of terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid, and ultimately, poly(ethylene terephthalate), and bio-based versions thereof. ##STR00001##
BOBL.sub.4Formula II

Methods for producing cycloaddition products comprising: reacting a diene with a dienophile in the presence of one or more boron-based catalysts of Formula I or Formula II are provided. In particular, the methods can be used to prepare 4-methyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid and 3-methyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid, including bio-based versions thereof. The cycloaddition products can be advantageously used in the production of terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid, and ultimately, poly(ethylene terephthalate), and bio-based versions thereof. ##STR00001##
BOBL.sub.4Formula II

A method of reducing an aromatic ring or a cyclic, allylic ether in a compound includes preparing a reaction mixture including a compound including an aromatic moiety or a cyclic, allylic ether moiety, an alkali metal, and either ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, or a combination thereof, in an ether solvent; and reacting the reaction mixture at from 20 C. to 30 C. for a time sufficient to reduce a double bond in the aromatic moiety to a single bond or to reduce the cyclic, allylic ether moiety.

A method of reducing an aromatic ring or a cyclic, allylic ether in a compound includes preparing a reaction mixture including a compound including an aromatic moiety or a cyclic, allylic ether moiety, an alkali metal, and either ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, or a combination thereof, in an ether solvent; and reacting the reaction mixture at from 20 C. to 30 C. for a time sufficient to reduce a double bond in the aromatic moiety to a single bond or to reduce the cyclic, allylic ether moiety.

A method of reducing an aromatic ring or a cyclic, allylic ether in a compound includes preparing a reaction mixture including a compound including an aromatic moiety or a cyclic, allylic ether moiety, an alkali metal, and either ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, or a combination thereof, in an ether solvent; and reacting the reaction mixture at from ?20? C. to 30? C. for a time sufficient to reduce a double bond in the aromatic moiety to a single bond or to reduce the cyclic, allylic ether moiety.

A method of reducing an aromatic ring or a cyclic, allylic ether in a compound includes preparing a reaction mixture including a compound including an aromatic moiety or a cyclic, allylic ether moiety, an alkali metal, and either ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, or a combination thereof, in an ether solvent; and reacting the reaction mixture at from ?20? C. to 30? C. for a time sufficient to reduce a double bond in the aromatic moiety to a single bond or to reduce the cyclic, allylic ether moiety.

Methods for producing cycloaddition products comprising: reacting a diene with a dienophile in the presence of one or more boron-based catalysts of Formula I or Formula II are provided. In particular, the methods can be used to prepare 4-methyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid and 3-methyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid, including bio-based versions thereof. The cycloaddition products can be advantageously used in the production of terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid, and ultimately, poly(ethylene terephthalate), and bio-based versions thereof.

Methods for producing cycloaddition products comprising: reacting a diene with a dienophile in the presence of one or more boron-based catalysts of Formula I or Formula II are provided. In particular, the methods can be used to prepare 4-methyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid and 3-methyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid, including bio-based versions thereof. The cycloaddition products can be advantageously used in the production of terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid, and ultimately, poly(ethylene terephthalate), and bio-based versions thereof.