Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) and salts thereof, The present invention further relates to catalytic complexes comprising a compound of formula I and uses thereof in the stereoselective synthesis of stereocentres, in particular, all-carbon quaternary stereocentres.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a catalytic complex comprising a metal, one or more ligands and one or more counterions, wherein said one or more ligands include a non-racemic chiral ligand and wherein said one or more counterions include a triflimide counterion. Also provided are methods of making said catalytic complex and processes for producing chiral compounds which involve the use of said catalytic complex. In addition, the present invention provides compounds of the formula (2) as defined herein. The compounds of formula (2) may be useful as ligands in catalytic complexes.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a catalytic complex comprising a metal, one or more ligands and one or more counterions, wherein said one or more ligands include a non-racemic chiral ligand and wherein said one or more counterions include a triflimide counterion. Also provided are methods of making said catalytic complex and processes for producing chiral compounds which involve the use of said catalytic complex. In addition, the present invention provides compounds of the formula (2) as defined herein. The compounds of formula (2) may be useful as ligands in catalytic complexes.

Abstract: In a method of treating a gas stream, an aqueous scrubbing liquor is circulated through an essentially closed loop (20) comprising an electrochemical unit (48) for reducing the acidity of the liquor. A portion of the circulating liquor is diverted away from the closed loop (20) to a gas scrubbing unit (10). The gas stream enters the scrubbing unit (10), wherein an acid, for example HF and solid particulates, for example SiO2 particulates, within the gas stream dissolve in the diverted liquor. The diverted liquor is subsequently returned to the closed loop (20), and is replenished in the scrubbing unit (10) by fresh liquor diverted from the closed loop (20). A device (46) is provided for monitoring the acidity of the liquor at a location within the closed loop (20). The reduction in the acidity of the liquor by the electrochemical cell (48) is controlled depending on the monitored concentration.

Abstract: In a method of treating a gas stream, an aqueous scrubbing liquor is circulated through an essentially closed loop (20) comprising an electrochemical unit (48) for reducing the acidity of the liquor. A portion of the circulating liquor is diverted away from the closed loop (20) to a gas scrubbing unit (10). The gas stream enters the scrubbing unit (10), wherein an acid, for example HF and solid particulates, for example SiO2 particulates, within the gas stream dissolve in the diverted liquor. The diverted liquor is subsequently returned to the closed loop (20), and is replenished in the scrubbing unit (10) by fresh liquor diverted from the closed loop (20). A device (46) is provided for monitoring the acidity of the liquor at a location within the closed loop (20). The reduction in the acidity of the liquor by the electrochemical cell (48) is controlled depending on the monitored concentration.

Abstract: A method of assembling two optical fiber tube preforms end-to-end without negatively impacting the local glass chemistry at the joint. The ends of two tubes to be joined together are reverse-tapered by a grinding such that the outside portion of the tube walls extend further outward than the inner portions of the tube walls. Two tubes having such ends are briefly heated and brought together, and the reverse taper minimizes the size of the cross-sectional area of the tube portions to be joined. A minimal amount of heat that does not significantly impact the glass chemistry at the joint is applied to the outside of the tubes to effect a tack weld that joins the tubes. Once the tack weld is in place, additional heat in combination with a vacuum force can be applied to the tubes, which completes the sealing of the weld.