Abstract: A process for conducting coupling reactions of aryl halides with unsaturated silanes is described. The processes use N-heterocyclic carbenes as ancillary ligands in these coupling reactions. A coupling of an aryl halide with an unsaturated silane can be carried out by mixing, in a liquid medium, at least one strong base; at least one aryl halide or aryl pseudohalide in which all substituents are other than silyl groups, wherein the aryl halide has, directly bonded to the aromatic ring(s), at least one chlorine atom, bromine atom, or iodine atom; at least one silane wherein the silicon atom is quaternary, wherein one group bound to the silicon atom is unsaturated at the alpha or beta position, and wherein each of the remaining groups bound to the silicon atom is a saturated hydrocarbyl or a saturated hydrocarbyloxy group; at least one nickel, palladium, or platinum compound, wherein the formal oxidation state of the metal is zero or two; and at least one N-heterocyclic carbene.

Abstract: A Pd(OAc)2/diazabutadiene system has been developed for the catalytic cross-coupling of aryl halides with arylboronic acids. A combination of the diazabutadiene DAB-Cy (1, N,N′-Dicyclohexyl-1,4-dizabutadiene) and Pd(OAc)2 was found to form an excellent catalyst for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of various aryl bromides and activated aryl chlorides with arylboronic acids.

Abstract: A metal stearate denitrification system utilizes insoluble and hydrophobic metal stearates as a carbon source for the bacterial substrate. The system in a long-term, low-maintenance denitrification cell is a flow-through plastic container having a replaceable porous liner filled with a porous and permeable mixture of metal stearate and volcanic scoria and a small amount of soil as a bacteria source. Oxidized effluent from an aerated home septic tank enters the container near its base and exits near its top. The insoluble and hydrophobic metal stearate remains in place as the fluid flows through the container. Over a time span of years, the metal stearate is gradually destroyed by bacteria using stearate as a metabolic food source. The aerobic bacteria first remove the dissolved oxygen in the entering fluid and then the anaerobic bacteria denitrify the nitrate.

Abstract: A method of oxidizing organic pollutants in a solution comprises chelating a catalytic metal with cyclodextrins (CD) and/or derivatized cyclodextrins (dCD), and simultaneously complexing an organic pollutant with cyclodextrins (CD) and/or derivatized cyclodextrins (dCD). The CD or dCD is capable of removing the pollutant from sorption sites (either in solution, in soil/sediment, or on surfaces). Furthermore, the CD/dCD is also capable of competing with other metal chelators that may be present in the system. The ability of the CD/dCD to bind both the pollutant and the metal in the presence of competing binding sites is essential for the success of the technique.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant coating for aluminum alloys preferably includes lithium molybdate and cerium. A conversion coating has been developed for aluminum surfaces that can substitute for the conventional chromate containing conversion coating. This new coating contains compounds such as lithium molybdate and cerium. The initial process consisted of two steps. Coated surface was tested to ASTM B117 requirement for 168 hours, showing little corrosion. Paint adhesion tests were also conducted with good results. Subsequent tests indicated that one step is adequate, but additional tests are needed.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for conducting Suzuki coupling reactions. The processes of the present invention make use of N-heterocyclic carbenes as ancillary ligands in Suzuki couplings of aryl halides and aryl pseudohalides. A Suzuki coupling can be carried out by mixing, in a liquid medium, at least one strong base; at least one aryl halide or aryl pseudohalide in which all substituents are other than boronic acid groups, wherein the aryl halide has, directly bonded to the aromatic ring(s), at least one halogen atom selected from the group consisting of a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodine atom; at least one arylboronic acid in which all substituents are other than chlorine atoms, bromine atoms, iodine atoms, or pseudohalide groups; at least one metal compound comprising at least one metal atom selected from nickel, palladium, and platinum, wherein the formal oxidation state of the metal is zero or two; and at least one N-heterocyclic carbene.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for conducting amination reactions. The processes of the present invention make use of N-heterocyclic carbenes as ancillary ligands in aminations of aryl halides and aryl pseudohalides. An amination can be carried out by mixing, in a liquid medium, at least one strong base; at least one aryl halide or aryl pseudohalide in which all substituents are other than amino groups, wherein the aryl halide has, directly bonded to the aromatic ring(s), at least one halogen atom selected from the group consisting of a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodine atom; at least one primary amine and/or at least one secondary amine; at least one metal compound comprising at least one metal atom selected from nickel, palladium, and platinum, wherein the formal oxidation state of the metal is zero or two; and at least one N-heterocyclic carbene.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for conducting Kumada coupling reactions. The processes of the present invention make use of N-heterocyclic carbenes as ancillary ligands in Kumada couplings of aryl halides. A Kumada coupling can be carried out by mixing, in a liquid medium, at least one aryl halide, wherein the aryl halide has, directly bonded to the aromatic ring(s), at least one halogen atom selected from the group consisting of a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodine atom; at least one Grignard reagent; at least one metal compound comprising at least one metal atom selected from nickel, palladium, and platinum, wherein the formal oxidation state of the metal is zero or two; and at least one N-heterocyclic carbene.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for conducting Stille coupling reactions. The processes of the present invention make use of N-heterocyclic carbenes as ancillary ligands in Stille couplings of aryl halides.

Abstract: This invention provides a catalyst system useful in many coupling reactions, such as Suzuki, Kumada, Heck, and amination reactions. The catalyst system of the present invention makes use of N-heterocyclic carbenes or their protonated salts. The composition of the catalyst system comprises at least one transition metal compound and at least one N-heterocyclic carbene or its protonated salt. This invention further provides novel N-heterocyclic carbenes and their protonated salts. One type of N-heterocyclic carbene used in this invention is an imidazolinc-2-ylidene wherein the 1 and 3 positions are each, independently, substituted by an aromatic group in which each ortho position is, independently, substituted by a secondary or tertiary group which has at least three atoms.