Abstract: A manually deployed grasping apparatus may be utilized for retrieving objects, such as rocks, concrete chunks and other debris, from vertical excavations such as potholes, boreholes, drilled shafts, etc. Unlike backhoes and other articulated arm machinery, the disclosed grasping apparatus is manually lowered into the excavation by the user. Once the apparatus is adjacent to the object to be retrieved, the opposite facing jaw members of the apparatus are placed into an open position to receive the object. Once the object has been received by the opposite facing jaw members, the jaw members are closed to capture the object. The jaw members are then manually withdrawn from the vertical excavation to retrieve the object.

Abstract: A manually deployed grasping apparatus may be utilized for retrieving objects, such as rocks, concrete chunks and other debris, from vertical excavations such as potholes, boreholes, drilled shafts, etc. Unlike backhoes and other articulated arm machinery, the disclosed grasping apparatus is manually lowered into the excavation by the user. Once the apparatus is adjacent to the object to be retrieved, the opposite facing jaw members of the apparatus are placed into an open position to receive the object. Once the object has been received by the opposite facing jaw members, the jaw members are closed to capture the object. The jaw members are then manually withdrawn from the vertical excavation to retrieve the object.

Abstract: Improved methods for generating a —C—C— bond by cross-coupling of a transferable group with an acceptor group. The transferable group is a substituent of an organosilicon nucleophile and the acceptor group is provided as an organic electrophile. The reaction is catalyzed by a Group 10 transition metal complex (e.g., Ni, Pt or Pd), particularly by a palladium complex. Certain methods of this invention use improved organosilicon nucleophiles which are readily prepared, can give high product yields and exhibit high stereoselectivity. Methods of this invention employ activating ions such as halides, hydroxide, hydride and silyloxides. In specific embodiments, organosilicon nucleophilic reagents of this invention include siloxanes, particularly cyclic siloxanes. The combination of the cross-coupling reactions of this invention with ring-closing metathesis, hydrosilylation and intramolecular hydrosilylation reactions provide useful synthetic strategies that have wide application.

Abstract: Improved methods for generating a —C—C— bond by cross-coupling of a transferable group with an acceptor group. The transferable group is a substituent of an organosilicon nucleophile and the acceptor group is provided as an organic electrophile. The reaction is catalyzed by a Group 10 transition metal complex (e.g., Ni, Pt or Pd), particularly by a palladium complex. Certain methods of this invention use improved organosilicon nucleophiles which are readily prepared, can give high product yields and exhibit high stereo selectivity. Methods of this invention employ activating ions such as halides, hydroxide, hydride and silyloxides. In specific embodiments, organosilicon nucleophilic reagents of this invention include siloxanes, particularly cyclic siloxanes. The combination of the cross-coupling reactions of this invention with ring-closing metathesis, hydrosilylation and intramolecular hydrosilylation reactions provide useful synthetic strategies that have wide application.