Abstract: A transformed mutant, P. mendocina, is provided containing a DNA fragment that inactivates all pobA genes and encodes the enzyme hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase. Mutants deficient in hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase are useful for the production of para-hydroxybenzoate (PHBA).

Abstract: Phosphine oxide and sulfoxide compounds were used with transition metals, preferably palladium and nickel, to produce biaryls, arylthiols, arylphosphine oxides and arylamines via cross-coupling reactions with aryl halides and arylboronic acids, aryl Grignard reagents, thiols, phosphine oxides or amines.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single step continuous hydrogenation process for the preparation of 3-methyl-tetrahydrofuran from alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone, in the presence of a catalytic metal.

Abstract: Polymers containing &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones are useful in blends with other polymers. For examples such polymers which have reactive groups are toughened by mixing with a rubbery material which has complimentary reactive groups, or polymers containing repeat units derived from &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) are toughened by mixing with polymeric core-shell particles having an elastomeric core and a specified thermoplastic shell. The properties of thermoplastics are also improved by blending with &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones containing (co)polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to the combinatorial approaches to the preparation of novel polymer-supported heteroatom bidentate (PN, PO, PS) ligand libraries and the corresponding free compounds after cleavage from the supports. These compounds are useful as novel ligands in the preparation of metal-containing catalysts.

Abstract: 2,5-Diformylfuran is prepared from a source of fructose in a one-pot, two-step reaction, in a single solvent system process, using a vanadium catalyst.

Abstract: Alpha-methylenelactones are produced from butyrolactone and valerolactone by the addition of formaldehyde in a supercritical fluid in the presence of a catalyst and a phase transfer agent.

Abstract: Novel phosphine and phosphine oxide ligands are prepared using polymeric supports. These compounds can be easily cleaved from the support, and along with the corresponding supported compounds, used as ligands in the preparation of novel, metal-complexed catalysts. The ligands are obtained by combinatorial synthesis. A process for preparing coumarin by contacting salicylaldehyde with an acrylate is also provided.

Abstract: A process for producing 5-methylbutyrolactone from levulinic acid utilizing an optionally supported metal catalyst is described. The catalyst has both a hydrogenation and a ring-closing function.

Abstract: This invention provides a new, biomass-derived glycol, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)isosorbide, which is found to be a valuable monomer for a wide variety of polymeric materials.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method whereby 3,4-tetrahydrofurandiol is hydrogenated in the presence of Rh, Re, Pd, Ru and Ni catalysts, optionally supported, to form tetrahydrofuran and its precursors.

Abstract: Novel reactions used to prepare phosphole and bisphosphole compounds are detailed. Novel phosphole compounds and metal coordination compounds of phosphole and bisphosphole compounds are also provided. These metal coordination compounds are useful as catalysts for the polymerization or olefins with carbon monoxide and for the polymerization of acrylic monomers.

Abstract: Secondary alcohols, specifically diols and polyols, are dehydroxylated to the corresponding primary alcohols using a homogeneous organometallic ruthenium complex catalyst.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a process for making &agr;-methylenelactones and &agr;-substitute hydrocarbylidene lactones. More specifically, the present invention obtains high yields of &agr;-methylene-&ggr;-butyrolactone by heating &ggr;-butyrolactone and diethyl oxalate in the presence of a base. The second step comprises treatment of the &agr;-oxalyl enolate salt with formaldehyde to afford the &agr;-methylene-&ggr;-butyrolactone.

Abstract: Ketones and aldehydes are hydrogenated to the corresponding alcohol or alkyl group, using H2 gas as the stoichiometric reductant, and organometallic ruthenium complexes as the catalysts.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation of a novel putative efflux gene from Pseudomonas mendocina. The putative efflux gene is useful for probing an organism's efflux system to gain an understanding of the mechanisms of solvent tolerance. The invention further provides a Pseudomonas mendocina strain deficient in this gene. This strain is unable to grow in the presence of chloramphenicol and, compared to the wildtype strain, grows slowly in the presence of high concentrations of PHBA.

Abstract: Novel reactions used to prepare phosphole and bisphosphole compounds are detailed. Novel phosphole compounds and metal coordination compounds of phosphole and bisphosphole compounds are also provided. These metal coordination compounds are useful as catalysts for the polymerization or olefins with carbon monoxide and for the polymerization of acrylic monomers.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a branched-chain amino acid degradation enzymes. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the branched-chain amino acid degradation enzymes, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the branched-chain amino acid degradation enzymes in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process for the addition of formaldehyde to the &agr; carbon atom of lactones for the production of &agr;-methylenelactones, and specifically &agr;-methylene-&ggr;-butyrolactone.

Abstract: Phosphine oxide compounds were used with transition metals, preferably palladium and nickel, to produce biaryls and arylamines via cross-coupling reactions with aryl halides and arylboronic acids, aryl Grignard reagents or amines.