Abstract: New polyoxometalate compounds and polymers comprising recurring monomers of those compounds are provided. The compounds are formed by replacing at least one oxide of the starting polyoxometalate with an organoimido (NR) group bonded to the polyoxometalate via a triple bond to the nitrogen atom. The R of the (NR) group comprises a reactive functional group which renders the compound readily polymerizable, alone or with other monomers (e.g., divinylbenzene), to form the inventive polymers. Additionally, a countercation (e.g., bis(tetra-n-butylammonium)) can be mixed with the polyoxometalate compounds in order to neutralize the negative charge thereof as well as to make those compounds more soluble in organic solvents.

Abstract: A low temperature, solution phase process for synthesizing nitriles such as acrylonitrile and benzylnitrile is provided which makes use of a transition metal complex bearing an imido moiety to form a final nitrile corresponding to the moiety. In practice, a solution of a transition metal complex is formed in a non-interfering solvent, and the solution is reacted under time and temperature conditions to form the desired nitrile. The solution may also contain a base such as pyridine.