Abstract: A hydrogen transfer reaction may be more efficiently promoted by using a metal complex represented by Formula (2): (wherein, R1 to R8 are the same or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the like; or wherein; R1 and R2, R2 and R3, R3 and R4, R4 and R5, and R5 and R6 are respectively bonded to each other to form a bivalent hydrocarbon group; R9 are the same or different, and each represents an alkyl group or cycloalkyl group; M is ruthenium (Ru) or the like; X is a ligand; and n is 0, 1 or 2). More specifically, the metal complex enables a hydrogenation reaction of various substrates having a stable carbonyl group or the like to be advanced with a high yield under mild conditions.

Abstract: A hydrogen transfer reaction may be more efficiently promoted by using a metal complex represented by Formula (2): (wherein, R1 to R8 are the same or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the like; or wherein; R1 and R2, R2 and R3, R3 and R4, R4 and R5, and R5 and R6 are respectively bonded to each other to form a bivalent hydrocarbon group; R9 are the same or different, and each represents an alkyl group or cycloalkyl group; M is ruthenium (Ru) or the like; X is a ligand; and n is 0, 1 or 2). More specifically, the metal complex enables a hydrogenation reaction of various substrates having a stable carbonyl group or the like to be advanced with a high yield under mild conditions.

Abstract: Methods and reagents for transition metal-promoted carbonylation via isocyanate using carbon-isotope labeled carbon monoxide are provided. The resultant carbon-isotope labeled compounds are useful as radiopharmaceuticals, especially for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Associated kits for PET studies are also provided.

Abstract: A novel ruthenium complex which is a highly efficient catalyst useful for the production of optically active 3-quinuclidinols, and a process for production of optically active 3-quinuclidinols using the ruthenium complex as a catalyst, where the optically active 3-quinuclidinols are useful as an optically active, physiologically active compound utilized in medicines and agrichemicals or as a synthetic intermediate such as a liquid crystal material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an alcohol from a lactone or a carboxylic acid ester, which enables to produce an alcohol from a lactone or a carboxylic acid ester under relatively mild conditions with high yield and high catalytic efficiency. This method also enables to produce an optically active alcohol from an optically active lactone or an optically active carboxylic acid ester. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing an alcohol by hydrogen reducing a lactone or a carboxylic acid ester in the presence of a catalyst containing ruthenium and a phosphine compound represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R1 represents a spacer; R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group; and R8, R9, R10, R11, R12 and R13 independently represent an alkyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an alcohol from a lactone or a carboxylic acid ester, which enables to produce an alcohol from a lactone or a carboxylic acid ester under relatively mild conditions with high yield and high catalytic efficiency. This method also enables to produce an optically active alcohol from an optically active lactone or an optically active carboxylic acid ester. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing an alcohol by hydrogen reducing a lactone or a carboxylic acid ester in the presence of a catalyst containing ruthenium and a phosphine compound represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R1 represents a spacer; R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group; and R8, R9, R10, R11, R12 and R13 independently represent an alkyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group.

Abstract: A neural network element, outputting an output signal in response to a plurality of input signals, comprises a history memory for accumulating and storing the plurality of input signals in a temporal order as history values. It also includes an output module for outputting the output signal when an internal state exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the internal state being based on a sum of the product of a plurality of input signals and corresponding coupling coefficients. The history values depend on change of the internal state. The neural network element is configured to subtract a predetermined value from the internal state immediately after the output module fires and performs learning for reinforcing or attenuating the coupling coefficient according to the history values after the output module fires.

Abstract: A hydrogenation promoter of the present invention is produced by reacting an alkyne compound or an alkene compound, a palladium compound represented by a general formula Pd(II)XjLk (where L represents a monodentate ligand or a polydendate ligand other than a phosphorus-containing ligand (when two or more Ls are present in the compound, the Ls may be the same or different), X represents an anionic group, j represents a value determined according to the valence of X so that Xj has a valence of ?2 as a whole, and k represents an integer in the range of 0 to 4), and a base in an organic solvent. Specifically, The hydrogenation promoter of the invention includes palladium nanoparticles containing the alkyne compound or the alkene compound as an agglomeration-preventing agent.

Abstract: A sulfonate catalyst represented by the formula below and a ketone compound are placed in a solvent, and the ketone compound is hydrogenated by mixing in the presence of hydrogen to produce an optically active alcohol.

Abstract: A novel ruthenium complex which is a highly efficient catalyst useful for the production of optically active 3-quinuclidinols, and a process for production of optically active 3-quinuclidinols using the ruthenium complex as a catalyst, where the optically active 3-quinuclidinols are useful as an optically active, physiologically active compound utilized in medicines and agrichemicals or as a synthetic intermediate such as a liquid crystal material.

Abstract: A sulfonate catalyst represented by the formula below and a ketone compound are placed in a solvent, and the ketone compound is hydrogenated by mixing in the presence of hydrogen to produce an optically active alcohol.

Abstract: A tert-alkyl ketone, pinacolone was hydrogenated under pressurized hydrogen in the presence of a ruthenium complex (S)-1 and a base, and corresponding (S)-3,3,-dimethyl-2-butanol was thereby obtained in 100% yield and 97% ee

Abstract: A hydrogenation promoter of the present invention is produced by reacting an alkyne compound or an alkene compound, a palladium compound represented by a general formula Pd(II)XjLk (where L represents a monodentate ligand or a polydendate ligand other than a phosphorus-containing ligand (when two or more Ls are present in the compound, the Ls may be the same or different), X represents an anionic group, j represents a value determined according to the valence of X so that Xj has a valence of ?2 as a whole, and k represents an integer in the range of 0 to 4), and a base in an organic solvent. Specifically, The hydrogenation promoter of the invention includes palladium nanoparticles containing the alkyne compound or the alkene compound as an agglomeration-preventing agent.

Abstract: A tert-alkyl ketone, pinacolone was hydrogenated under pressurized hydrogen in the presence of a ruthenium complex (S)-1 and a base, and corresponding (S)-3,3,-dimethyl-2-butanol was thereby obtained in 100% yield and 97% ee.

Abstract: Methods and reagents for rhodium-promoted carbonylation via isocyanate using carbon-isotope labeled carbon monoxide are provided. The resultant carbon isotope labeled compounds are useful as radiopharmaceuticals, especially for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Associated kits for PET studies are also provided.

Abstract: A ruthenium complex RuCl[(S,S)-Tsdpen](p-cymene) represented by a formula below and a ketone compound are placed in a polar solvent, and the resulting mixture is mixed under pressurized hydrogen to hydrogenate the ketone compound and to thereby produce an optically active alcohol:

Abstract: Methods and reagents for transition metal-promoted carbonylation via isocyanate using carbon-isotope labeled carbon monoxide are provided. The resultant carbon-isotope labeled compounds are useful as radiopharmaceuticals, especially for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Associated kits for PET studies are also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing optically active compounds is disclosed. The method is highly practical for producing optically active compounds useful for various utilities such as intermediates for synthesizing pharmaceutical agents, liquid crystal materials and agents for optical resolution.

Abstract: A process of preparing an optically active halohydrin compound characterized by comprising asymmetric hydrogen transfer reduction of an ?-haloketone compound in the presence of a group 9 transition metal compound having a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl group and an optically active diamine compound. The asymmetric hydrogen transfer reduction is preferably conducted in the presence of a base.

Abstract: A process of preparing an optically active halohydrin compound characterized by comprising asymmetric hydrogen transfer reduction of an &agr;-haloketone compound in the presence of a group 9 transition metal compound having a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl group and an optically active diamine compound. The asymmetric hydrogen transfer reduction is preferably conducted in the presence of a base.