Abstract: Methods of polymer and/or oligomer depolymerization are described herein which, in some embodiments, enable facile polymer and/or oligomer decomposition under mild, non-energy intensive conditions. Briefly, a method of depolymerization comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising a transition metal catalyst, and a polymer or oligomer having a backbone including cyclobutane units, and decomposing the polymer or oligomer to provide diene monomer or alkene monomer.

Abstract: Methods for the hydroalkenylation of conjugated, 1,3-dienes using a diimine catalyst. The method comprises mixing a diene having at least five carbon atoms and an iron diimine complex at a temperature of about ?60° C. to about 23° C. to provide a catalyst solution; and introducing one or more alpha olefins at a pressure of at least 300 psig to obtain a product comprising the substituted diene monomer.

Abstract: In one aspect, oligomeric and polymeric species are described herein exhibiting new architectures and associated properties. In some embodiments, such species are synthesized by oligomerization or polymerization of diene monomer via cycloaddition in the presence of a transition metal complex. Oligomers described herein, for example, comprise cyclobutane units in the oligomer backbone. Similarly, a polymers described herein comprise cyclobutane units in the polymer backbone.

Abstract: A method for making a fuel includes reacting a conjugated diene or a mixture of conjugated dienes with a catalyst selected from the group consisting of a low valent iron catalyst stabilized with a pyridineimine ligand, an iron precatalyst coordinated to the pyridineimine ligand that is activated with a reducing agent, a low oxidation state Fe complex stabilized with a pyridineimine ligand and a coordinating ligand, and combinations thereof, thereby forming a substituted cyclooctadiene. The substituted cyclooctadiene is then hydrogenated, thereby forming cyclooctane fuel.

Abstract: In one aspect, oligomeric and polymeric species are described herein exhibiting new architectures and associated properties. In some embodiments, such species are synthesized by oligomerization or polymerization of diene monomer via cycloaddition in the presence of a transition metal complex. Oligomers described herein, for example, comprise cyclobutane units in the oligomer backbone. Similarly, a polymers described herein comprise cyclobutane units in the polymer backbone.