Abstract: Inorganic oxide substrates are functionalized with silicon-free organic functionalizing agents. The organic functionalizing agent has a bonding functional group for bonding to the substrate and a functionalizing moiety that is not bonded to the substrate for imparting a desired functionality to the substrate. The functionalized inorganic oxide substrates are manufactured by selecting a functionalizing agent and reaction conditions that allows the bonding functional group to bond to the inorganic material while leaving the functionalizing moiety available for providing the desired functionality. The functionalized inorganic oxides can be used as filler materials in polymers or to manufacture a supported nanoparticle catalyst.

Abstract: Supported nickel catalyst having high nickel loading and dispersion are manufactured using a dispersing agent. The dispersing agent molecules include at least one functional group that bonds with the nickel atoms and influences nanoparticle formation. The support material is loaded with at least about 5% nickel, more preferably at least about 8%, and most preferably at least about 12% by weight of the total catalyst. Catalysts manufactured using the organic dispersing agents and loaded with the foregoing amounts of nickel have metal dispersions greater than about 5% as measured by hydrogen adsorption, more preferably greater than about 10%, and most preferably greater than about 15%.

Abstract: Highly dispersed supported catalyst nanoparticles are manufactured at temperatures below about 95° C. The catalyst nanoparticles are formed on a support using an organic anchoring agent. The anchoring agent molecules include at least two functional groups. One functional group is selected to bond with the catalyst atoms and the other functional group is selected to bond with the support material. The anchoring agent and its interaction with the support provide a template for the catalyst atoms. The catalyst nanoparticles are manufactured by treating the support material with a solution of the anchoring agent. A solution of the catalyst atoms is reacted with the anchoring agent molecules to form an intermediate supported catalyst. The supported intermediate catalyst is dried by heating at a temperature less than about 95° C. In an alternative embodiment, the catalyst atoms are reacted with the anchoring agent molecules prior to treating the support material with the anchoring agent.

Abstract: Supported nickel catalyst having high nickel loading and dispersion are manufactured using a dispersing agent. The dispersing agent molecules include at least one functional group that bonds with the nickel atoms and influences nanoparticle formation. The support material is loaded with at least about 5% nickel, more preferably at least about 8%, and most preferably at least about 12% by weight of the total catalyst. Catalysts manufactured using the organic dispersing agents and loaded with the foregoing amounts of nickel have metal dispersions greater than about 5% as measured by hydrogen adsorption, more preferably greater than about 10%, and most preferably greater than about 15%.

Abstract: Inorganic oxide substrates are functionalized with silicon-free organic functionalizing agents. The organic functionalizing agent has a bonding functional group for bonding to the substrate and a functionalizing moiety that is not bonded to the substrate for imparting a desired functionality to the substrate. The functionalized inorganic oxide substrates are manufactured by selecting a functionalizing agent and reaction conditions that allows the bonding functional group to bond to the inorganic material while leaving the functionalizing moiety available for providing the desired functionality. The functionalized inorganic oxides can be used as filler materials in polymers or to manufacture a supported nanoparticle catalyst.

Abstract: Highly dispersed supported catalyst nanoparticles are manufactured at temperatures below about 95° C. The catalyst nanoparticles are formed on a support using an organic anchoring agent. The anchoring agent molecules include at least two functional groups. One functional group is selected to bond with the catalyst atoms and the other functional group is selected to bond with the support material. The anchoring agent and its interaction with the support provide a template for the catalyst atoms. The catalyst nanoparticles are manufactured by treating the support material with a solution of the anchoring agent. A solution of the catalyst atoms is reacted with the anchoring agent molecules to form an intermediate supported catalyst. The supported intermediate catalyst is dried by heating at a temperature less than about 95° C. In an alternative embodiment, the catalyst atoms are reacted with the anchoring agent molecules prior to treating the support material with the anchoring agent.

Abstract: Supported nanocatalysts are manufactured by reacting a functionalized support with a plurality of catalyst atoms in the presence of a solvent. Available functional groups on the support material bind to the catalyst atoms and influence nanoparticle formation and/or nanoparticle anchoring. The functionalized support can be manufactured from a support material and a functionalizing agent that has at least two functional groups for bonding individual functionalizing agent molecules both to the support and to the catalyst atoms. Supported palladium nanocatalysts manufactured using the methods of the present invention are particularly useful for performing Heck and Suzuki carbon-carbon coupling reactions.

Abstract: The present invention is a re-usable and stable supported catalyst comprising a support, an anchoring agent, and a metal complex of a substantially enantiomerically pure phosphine-aminophosphine ligand. The resulting catalyst is useful for asymmetric catalytic reactions, such as asymmetric hydrogenation reactions. Also included are methods for preparing the supported catalyst and its use for asymmetric reactions.