Abstract: A non-human organism for upgrading intermediate oxidation products formed by catalytic degradation of alkanes or polystyrenes is provided. The non-human organism is genetically modified to convert the intermediate oxidation products to secondary metabolites, and in particular to include a positive feedback loop construction in the promotor system. A method includes steps of catalytically degrading alkanes or polystyrene in an oxidizing environment to form intermediate products with one or more catalysts and contacting the intermediate products with the non-human organism such that intermediate oxidation products are converted to secondary metabolites.

Abstract: A method of aerobic depolymerization of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites using sustainable reagents and conditions. A cured matrix is digested into soluble monomers and oligomers by catalytic aerobic oxidation. Carbon fibers are removed for re-use, then the remaining material is treated and valuable monomers are isolated. The isolated monomers can be converted back into resin precursors for re-use. The method solves the problem created because the typically irreversible cure reaction impedes recycling and re-use of FRP composites.

Abstract: A method for recycling matrix residues includes steps of degrading a target epoxy to form matrix residues, collecting the matrix residues, and adding the matrix residues into a polymer-forming formulation. Characteristically, the polymer-forming formulation includes multifunctional anhydride monomers and polyfunctional co-reactant monomers.

Abstract: A flow reactor system for providing on-demand H2 evolution at pressure from a liquid organic hydrogen carrier and/or blends thereof includes a reactor that includes a reaction vessel having an inlet and outlet. The inlet is configured to introduce reactants into the reaction vessel, and the outlet is configured to release reaction products. The reaction vessel is configured to hold therein a catalyst system capable of catalyzing the evolution of molecular hydrogen from a liquid organic hydrogen carrier. Advantageously, the reaction vessel is configured to operate at pressures greater than or equal to 50 psig (e.g., from about 50 psig to about 10500 psig. The flow reactor system also includes a source of preheated liquid organic hydrogen carrier in fluid communication with the reactor and a purification system in fluid communication with the outlet that provides purified molecular hydrogen gas for on-demand applications.

Abstract: Conversion of vegetable-derived triglycerides to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) is a popular approach to the generation of biodiesel fuels and the basis of a growing industry. Drawbacks of the strategy are that (a) the glycerol backbone of the triglyceride is discarded as waste in this synthesis, and (2) many natural triglycerides are multiply-unsaturated or fully saturated, giving inferior performance and causing engine problems with long-term use. Here, we show that catalysis by iridium complex 1 can address both of these problems through selective reduction of triglycerides high in polyunsaturated fatty esters to FAMEs with high oleate concentration. This is realized using hydrogen imbedded in the triglyceride backbone, concurrently generating lactate as a value-added C3 product. Additional methanol or glycerol as a hydrogen source enables reduction of corn and soybean oils to >80% oleate.

Abstract: A compound having formula I that is useful for C?O reduction is provided: wherein: M is a transition metal; X1, X2 are each independently a counterion; and R1, R2, R3 are each independently H, C1-6 alkyl, C6-15 aryl, or C6-15 heteroaryl.

Abstract: A formic acid decomposition catalyst system includes organometallic complexes having formula 1: wherein: M is a transition metal; E is P, N, or C (as in imidazolium carbene); R1, R2 are independently C1-6 alkyl groups; o is 1, 2, 3, or 4; R3 are independently hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl groups, OR14, NO2, halogen; R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R15, R16 are independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl groups; R14 is a C1-6 alkyl group; and X? is a negatively charge counter ion.

Abstract: A formic acid decomposition catalyst system includes organometallic complexes having formula 1: wherein: M is a transition metal; E is P, N, or C (as in imidazolium carbene); R1, R2 are independently C1-6 alkyl groups; o is 1, 2, 3, or 4; R3 are independently hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl groups, OR14, NO2, halogen; R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R15, R16 are independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl groups; R14 is a C1-6 alkyl group; and X? is a negatively charge counter ion.

Abstract: A method of aerobic depolymerization of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites using sustainable reagents and conditions. A cured matrix is digested into soluble monomers and oligomers by catalytic aerobic oxidation. Carbon fibers are removed for re-use, then the remaining material is treated and valuable monomers are isolated. The isolated monomers can be converted back into resin precursors for re-use. The method solves the problem created because the typically irreversible cure reaction impedes recycling and re-use of FRP composites.

Abstract: Conversion of vegetable-derived triglycerides to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) is a popular approach to the generation of biodiesel fuels and the basis of a growing industry. Drawbacks of the strategy are that (a) the glycerol backbone of the triglyceride is discarded as waste in this synthesis, and (2) many natural triglycerides are multiply-unsaturated or fully saturated, giving inferior performance and causing engine problems with long-term use. Here, we show that catalysis by iridium complex 1 can address both of these problems through selective reduction of triglycerides high in polyunsaturated fatty esters to FAMEs with high oleate concentration. This is realized using hydrogen imbedded in the triglyceride backbone, concurrently generating lactate as a value-added C3 product. Additional methanol or glycerol as a hydrogen source enables reduction of corn and soybean oils to >80% oleate.

Abstract: A catalyst system includes a complex having formula I which advantageously has a sterically protecting N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) carbene-pyridine ligand to handle harsh reactions conditions than many prior art catalysts: wherein M is a transition metal; o is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; R1 is a C1-6 alkyl, a C6-18 aryl, or an optionally substituted C5-18 heteroaryl. In a refinement, R1 is methyl, ethyl, butyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or t-butyl; R2, R3, R3? are independently an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl, halo (e.g., Cl, F, Br, etc), NO2, an optionally substituted C6-18 aryl, or an optionally substituted C5-18 heteroaryl; R4, R4? are independently an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl, halo, NO2, an optionally substituted C6-18 aryl, or an optionally substituted C5-18 heteroaryl; and X? is a negatively charge counter ion and L1, L2 are each independently a neutral ligand.

Abstract: A formic acid decomposition catalyst system includes organometallic complexes having formula 1: wherein: M is a transition metal; E is P, N, or C (as in imidazolium carbene); R1, R2 are independently C1-6 alkyl groups; o is 1, 2, 3, or 4; R3 are independently hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl groups, OR14, NO2, halogen; R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R15, R16 are independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl groups; R14 is a C1-6 alkyl group; and X? is a negatively charge counter ion.

Abstract: A formic acid decomposition catalyst system includes metal-ligand complexes having formula 1: wherein M is a transition metal; R1, R2 are independently C1-6 alkyl groups; o is 1, 2, 3, or 4; R3 are independently hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl groups, OR14, NO2, or halogen; R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, are independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl groups; R14 is a C1-6 alkyl group; and X? is a negatively charge counter ion.

Abstract: A compound having formula I that is useful for C?O reduction is provided: wherein: M is a transition metal; X1, X2 are each independently a counterion; and R1, R2, R3 are each independently H, C1-6 alkyl, C6-15 aryl, or C6-15 heteroaryl.

Abstract: A formic acid decomposition catalyst system includes organometallic complexes having formula 1: wherein: M is a transition metal; E is P, N, or C (as in imidazolium carbene); R1, R2 are independently C1-6 alkyl groups; o is 1, 2, 3, or 4; R3 are independently hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl groups, OR14, NO2, halogen; R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R15, R16 are independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl groups; R14 is a C1-6 alkyl group; and X?is a negatively charge counter ion.

Abstract: A catalyst system includes a complex having formula I which advantageously has a sterically protecting N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) carbene-pyridine ligand to handle harsh reactions conditions than many prior art catalysts: wherein M is a transition metal; o is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; R1 is a C1-6 alkyl, a C6-18 aryl, or an optionally substituted C5-18 heteroaryl. In a refinement, R1 is methyl, ethyl, butyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or t-butyl; R2, R3, R3? are independently an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl, halo (e.g., Cl, F, Br, etc), NO2, an optionally substituted C6-18 aryl, or an optionally substituted C5-18 heteroaryl; R4, R4? are independently an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl, halo, NO2, an optionally substituted C6-18 aryl, or an optionally substituted C5-18 heteroaryl; and X? is a negatively charge counter ion and L1, L2 are each independently a neutral ligand.

Abstract: A formic acid decomposition catalyst system includes metal-ligand complexes having formula 1: wherein M is a transition metal; R1, R2 are independently C1-6 alkyl groups; o is 1, 2, 3, or 4; R3 are independently hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl groups, OR14, NO2, or halogen; R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, are independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl groups; R14 is a C1-6 alkyl group; and X? is a negatively charge counter ion.

Abstract: A ruthenium bis(pyrazolyl)borate scaffold that enables cooperative reduction reactivity in which boron and ruthenium centers work in concert to effect selective nitrile reduction is provided. The pre-catalyst compound [?3-(1-pz)2HB(N?CHCH3)]Ru(cymene)+ TfO? (pz=pyrazolyl) was synthesized using readily-available materials through a straightforward route, thus making it an appealing catalyst for a number of reactions.

Abstract: A ruthenium bis(pyrazolyl)borate scaffold that enables cooperative reduction reactivity in which boron and ruthenium centers work in concert to effect selective nitrile reduction is provided. The pre-catalyst compound [?3-(1-pz)2HB(N?CHCH3)]Ru(cymene)? TfO? (pz=pyrazolyl) was synthesized using readily-available materials through a straightforward route, thus making it an appealing catalyst for a number of reactions.

Abstract: A method for forming a fluorinated compound includes a step of forming a sulfonate ester of a polyethylene glycol. The sulfonate ester is then reacted with a fluorinated diol in the presence of a base such that the polyethylene glycol is attached to one of the hydroxyl groups in the fluorinated diol. The other hydroxyl group in the fluorinated diol is reacted is converted into a leaving group and reacted with an number of nucleophiles. Complexes of the fluorinated compounds that as useful in Magnetic Resonance Imaging are also provided.