Abstract: The invention relates to a method of alkene metathesis. In the method, at least one monoalkene is subjected to ethenolysis in the presence of a diene. The invention also relates to the use of a diene to promote an ethenolysis reaction conducted on a monoalkene.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of alkene metathesis. In the method, at least one monoalkene is subjected to ethenolysis in the presence of a diene. The invention also relates to the use of a diene to promote an ethenolysis reaction conducted on a monoalkene.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of alkene metathesis comprising contacting at least a first alkene, which is cardanol and/or anacardic acid, with an alkylidene ruthenium alkene metathesis catalyst comprising two ligands P1 and P2, which may be the same or different and of formula P(R1)3, in which P is a phosphorus atom coordinated to the ruthenium ion and each R1 is independently an optionally substituted alkyl or alkoxy group; or two R1 groups within one P1 or P2 ligand constitute an optionally substituted bicycloalkyl.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of alkene metathesis comprising contacting at least a first alkene, which is cardanol and/or anacardic acid, with an alkylidene ruthenium alkene metathesis catalyst comprising two ligands P1 and P2, which may be the same or different and of formula P(R1)3, in which P is a phosphorus atom coordinated to the ruthenium ion and each R1 is independently an optionally substituted alkyl or alkoxy group; or two R1 groups within one P1 or P2 ligand constitute an optionally substituted bicycloalkyl.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making methanol and ethanol from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The process includes contacting a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen with a catalyst system containing a ruthenium compound—and optionally, a chloride or bromide-containing compound—dispersed in a low-melting tetraorganophosphonium chloride or bromide salt under conditions effective to produce methanol and ethanol. The invention also relates to a process for making methanol and ethanol from carbon monoxide and water using the same catalyst system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making methanol and ethanol from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The process includes contacting a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen with a catalyst system containing a ruthenium compound—and optionally, a chloride or bromide-containing compound—dispersed in a low-melting tetraorganophosphonium chloride or bromide salt under conditions effective to produce methanol and ethanol. The invention also relates to a process for making methanol and ethanol from carbon monoxide and water using the same catalyst system.

Abstract: This invention concerns a promoted catalyst system for making one or more alkanols from synthesis gas. The catalyst system contains a ruthenium compound and a halogen promoter dispersed in a low-melting tetraorganophosphonium salt. The halogen promoter is a compound capable of generating HX (where X?Cl, Br, or I) under reaction conditions. The invention also concerns a process for selectively preparing one or more alkanols from synthesis gas using the promoted catalyst system.

Abstract: Novel conjugates of nanoparticles are provided and have particular utility in the detection of latent fingerprints by their ability to bind to a fingerprint residue. The conjugate comprises a nanoparticle attached to a linker group having a terminal reactive moiety, wherein said nanoparticle comprises a core of a first semiconductor material having a first luminescence and a shell of a second material which at least partially surrounds the core. The conjugated nanoparticle can bind to the fingerprint residue and can be detected using fluorescence.

Abstract: Novel conjugates of nanoparticles are provided and have particular utility in the detection of latent fingerprints by their ability to bind to a fingerprint residue. The conjugate comprises a nanoparticle attached to a linker group having a terminal reactive moiety, wherein said nanoparticle comprises a core of a first semiconductor material having a first luminescence and a shell of a second material which at least partially surrounds the core. The conjugated nanoparticle can bind to the fingerprint residue and can be detected using fluorescence.

Abstract: A catalyst, useful for the hydroformylation of allyl alcohol, is described. The catalyst comprises a rhodium complex and a 6-bis(3,5-dialkylphenyl)phosphino-N-pivaloyl-2-aminopyridine or a 3-bis(3,5-dialkylphenyl)phosphino-2H-isoquinolin-1-one. The invention also includes a process for the production of 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde comprising reacting allyl alcohol with a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a solvent and the catalyst. The process gives a high ratio of the linear product 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde to the branched co-product 3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionaldehyde.

Abstract: A direct hydrocarbonylation process for the production of 1,4-butanediol is described. The process comprises reacting allyl alcohol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an alcohol solvent in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a rhodium complex, a trialkyl phosphine, and a diphosphine. The process gives a high yield of 1,4-butanediol in a one-step reaction.

Abstract: A process for the production of 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde is described. The process comprises reacting allyl alcohol with a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a solvent and a catalyst system comprising a rhodium complex and a substituted or unsubstituted 4,5-bis(di-n-alkylphosphino)xanthene. The process gives high yield of 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde compared to 3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionaldehyde.