Abstract: A method for preparing a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymer by ring-opening polymerization, comprising: polymerizing a lactone in a presence of a solvent and a catalyst with a yttrium metal center under reaction conditions; controlling the polymerization to derive a polymer from the lactone with the polymer having predetermined tensile properties, wherein a Tm of the polymer ranges from 90 to 170° C. and the tensile properties are determined by a ligand of the catalyst, the solvent, and a temperature of the reaction conditions; and recovering the polymer.

Abstract: A method, including: contacting a carbene or carbyne precatalyst with a first co-catalyst, under reaction conditions sufficient to cause the first-co-catalyst to activate the carbene or carbyne precatalyst, wherein the first co-catalyst is selected from the group consisting of an aluminum activator, a Br2-1,4-dioxane complex, I2, PhICl2, and PCl5.

Abstract: Methods of ?-lactone production, including the integrated bioconversion of ?-lactone production and methods related thereto. Methods include reacting a feedstock and a recombinant microorganism harboring one or more genes encoding enzymes involved in the metabolic pathway of a 3-hydroxycarboxylic acid, thereby producing a 3-hydroxycarboxylic acid having C1-C10 alkyl groups. Thereafter, reacting the 3-hydroxycarboxilic acid with a bioengineered natural ?-lactone synthetase, the bioengineered ?-lactone synthetase engineered to comprise a substrate binding pocket capable of accepting the 3-hydroxycarboxylic acid having C1-C10 alkyl groups, thereby producing a ?-lactone having C1-C10 alkyl groups.

Abstract: A variety of methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method of making a superabsorbent material including: providing dried seaweed flakes comprising ?-carrageenan; hydrating the dried seaweed flakes to produced hydrated seaweed flakes; contacting the hydrated seaweed flakes with a non-aqueous solvent thereby producing the superabsorbent material; and drying the superabsorbent material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method comprising combining an alkylidyne catalyst compound and a terminal alkyne to form a ring polymer. The terminal alkyne has the formula RC2H, wherein R is H, an alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, an aromatic group having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, or an alkynyl group having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms. The alkylidyne catalyst compound has the formula (R1)(R2)(R3) MCR4, where M is tungsten or molybdenum, R1, R2, and R3 is alkoxide, halide, oxide, nitride, or sulfide, and R4 is H, an aliphatic group having from 1 to 20 carbons, an aromatic group having from 1 to 20 carbons, or a heteroaryl group having from 1 to 20 carbons, wherein the heteroatom is nitrogen, oxygen, boron, or sulfur.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method comprising combining an alkylidyne catalyst compound and a terminal alkyne to form a ring polymer. The terminal alkyne has the formula RC2H, wherein R is H, an alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, an aromatic group having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, or an alkynyl group having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms. The alkylidyne catalyst compound has the formula (R1)(R2)(R3) MCR4, where M is tungsten or molybdenum, R1, R2, and R3 is alkoxide, halide, oxide, nitride, or sulfide, and R4 is H, an aliphatic group having from 1 to 20 carbons, an aromatic group having from 1 to 20 carbons, or a heteroaryl group having from 1 to 20 carbons, wherein the heteroatom is nitrogen, oxygen, boron, or sulfur.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst compound for an olefin polymerization catalyst system represented by the formula: where each T is independently O, S, or N, each Q is independently C or Si; each R1, R2, and R3 is a substituted C1 to C40 hydrocarbyl group, a C1 to C40 hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted heteroatom, provided that the sum of the molecular volume of R1, R2, and R3 is greater than or equal to two times the molecular volume of an isopropyl group.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst system comprising a half sandwich chromocene compound featuring a tethered P-donor, with an activator and optional supportation on silica which produces ethylene homopolymer or copolymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst system comprising a half sandwich chromocene compound featuring a tethered P-donor, with an activator and optional supportation on silica which produces ethylene homopolymer or copolymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst system comprising a half sandwich chromocene compound featuring a tethered P-donor, with an activator and optional supportation on silica which produces ethylene homopolymer or copolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for polymerizing olefin monomers comprising contacting one or more olefin monomers with a cosupported catalyst system and an activator. Also disclosed are polymers produced using the catalyst systems and methods disclosed herein. The polymers have a multimodal molecular weight distribution and may be produced in a single reactor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst compound for an olefin polymerization catalyst system represented by the formula: where each T is independently O, S, or N, each Q is independently C or Si; each R1, R2, and R3 is a substituted C1 to C40 hydrocarbyl group, a C1 to C40 hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted heteroatom, provided that the sum of the molecular volume of R1, R2, and R3 is greater than or equal to two times the molecular volume of an isopropyl group.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process to using dimers of a group 3 metal (typically scandium) catalyst compound to produce ethylene polymers, such as ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers and ethylene-conjugated diene copolymers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process to using dimers of a group 3 metal (typically scandium) catalyst compound to produce ethylene polymers, such as ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers and ethylene-conjugated diene copolymers.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for polymerizing olefin monomers comprising contacting one or more olefin monomers with a cosupported catalyst system and an activator. Also disclosed are polymers produced using the catalyst systems and methods disclosed herein. The polymers have a multimodal molecular weight distribution and may be produced in a single reactor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst system comprising a half sandwich chromocene compound featuring a tethered P-donor, with an activator and optional supportation on silica which produces ethylene homopolymer or copolymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst system comprising a half sandwich chromocene compound featuring a tethered N-donor, with an alumoxane and consequent supportation on silica produces a catalyst that produces ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and that further supportation of a catalyst capable of producing linear low density polyethylene produces a multiple-catalyst system on the same support, capable of producing polyethylene with a bimodal molecular weight distribution and excellent molecular weight.

Abstract: This invention relates to racemic bridged bis(indenyl)metallocene transition metal compounds, rac-directing metallation reagents and a process to produce the racemic bridged bis(indenyl)metallocene transition metal compounds using the rac-directing metallation regents.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst system comprising a half sandwich chromocene compound featuring a tethered N-donor, with an alumoxane and consequent supportation on silica produces a catalyst that produces ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and that further supportation of a catalyst capable of producing linear low density polyethylene produces a multiple-catalyst system on the same support, capable of producing polyethylene with a bimodal molecular weight distribution and excellent molecular weight.

Abstract: This invention relates to racemic bridged bis(indenyl)metallocene transition metal compounds, rac-directing metallation reagents and a process to produce the racemic bridged bis(indenyl)metallocene transition metal compounds using the rac-directing metallation regents.