Abstract: A phosphine ligand suitable for use in telomerizing butadiene comprises two phenyl groups and a xanthene moiety.

Abstract: A phosphine-based catalyst composition suitable for the telomerization of butadiene to produce 1-octene includes palladium and one of a class of novel phosphine ligands characterized by two potentially functionalized phenyl rings and cyclized 5- or 6-member alkoxy groups that, together, bridge the two potentially functionalized phenyl rings. In these groups the alkoxy moiety of each is located ortho to at least one functionalizing moiety, if any, on the phenyl rings. The catalysts including this class of phosphine ligands may exhibit higher catalytic activity and selectivity, and may be used at lower temperatures, than many other phosphine ligand catalysts, reducing costs. Palladium precipitation may also be reduced.

Abstract: A phosphine-based catalyst composition suitable for the telomerization of butadiene to produce 1-octene includes palladium and one of a class of novel phosphine ligands characterized by two potentially functionalized phenyl rings and a third phenyl group having an alkoxy functionality on one of the ortho-positions, which is part of a 5- or 6-membered ring between this ortho position and the adjacent meta position, this ring not being part of a second aryl group. The catalysts including this class of phosphine ligands may exhibit higher catalytic activity and selectivity, and may be used at lower temperatures, than many other phosphine ligand catalysts, reducing costs. Palladium precipitation may also be reduced.

Abstract: A phosphine ligand suitable for use in telomerizing butadiene comprises two phenyl groups and a xanthene moiety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to prognostic method and means for determining susceptibility to heart disease in a subject by screening for polymorphisms in the Vitamin D receptor gene. In particular, the present invention provides a method for determining susceptibility to heart disease, the method comprising analysing the genetic material of a subject to determine which of the B/b, A/a or T/t alleles of the restriction enzyme sites BsmI, ApaI and TaqI respectively are present. Specific combinations of alleles represent a haplotype which is associated with susceptibility to heart disease.