Abstract: Reversible switchable surfactants are provided. A surfactant is the salt of an amidine or guanidine: having at least one R group that is a hydrophobic moiety selected from the group consisting of higher aliphatic moiety, higher siloxyl moiety, higher aliphatic/siloxyl moiety, aliphatic/aryl moiety, siloxyl/aryl moiety, and aliphatic/siloxyl/aryl moiety. The other R groups are smaller moieties such as H, C1 to C4 aliphatic or the like. The surfactant is turned on by a gas that liberates hydrogen ions, such as, for example, carbon dioxide, which liberates hydrogen ions in the presence of water. The surfactant is turned off by exposure to a flushing gas and/or heating. When “on” the surfactants are useful to stabilize emulsions, and when “off” they are useful to separate immiscible liquids or a liquid and a solid. The surfactants find uses in polymerization and in the oil industry.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing medium chain length poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (MCL-PHA) with a selected ratio of monomers. A method of controlling the ratio of monomers in MCL-PHA is also provided which includes fermenting naturally occurring microorganisms with a fatty acid substrate, a food source and an additive. The methods provided do not sacrifice cell growth and maintenance and provide high yields of MCL-PHAs. MCL-PHAs are provided that are copolymers of Cn and Cn?2 monomers, where (n is 6-18).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of using Schwartz Reagent, Cp2Zr(H)Cl, without accumulating or isolating it. Methods provide mixtures of Cp2ZrCl2, reductants that selectively reduce Cp2ZrCl2, and substrates. After reaction of Cp2ZrCl2 and the reductant, an intermediate reduction product is formed, apparently Schwartz Reagent. The in situ Schwartz Reagent then selectively reduces certain functional groups on the substrate. Substrates include tertiary amides, tertiary benzamides, aryl O-carbamates, and heteroaryl N-carbamates, which are reduced to aldehydes, benzaldehydes, aromatic alcohols, and heteroaromatics, respectively. Compared to prior methods, reagents are inexpensive and stable, reaction times are short, and reaction temperature in certain cases is conveniently room temperature. It has been estimated that using the in situ method described herein instead of synthesized or commercially obtained Schwartz Reagent provides a 50% reduction in cost.

Abstract: Methods and kits for decomposing organophosphorus compounds in non-aqueous media at ambient conditions are described. Insecticides, pesticides, and chemical warfare agents can be quickly decomposed to non-toxic products. The method comprises combining the organophosphorus compound with a non-aqueous solution, preferably an alcohol, comprising metal ions and at least a trace amount of alkoxide ions. In a first preferred embodiment, the metal ion is a lanthanum ion. In a second preferred embodiment, the metal ion is a transition metal.