Abstract: An amide/iminium zwitterion catalyst has a catalyst pocket size that promotes transesterification and dehydrative esterification. The amide/iminium zwitterions are easily prepared by reacting aziridines with aminopyridines. The reaction can be applied a wide variety of esterification processes including the large-scale synthesis of biodiesel. The amide/iminium zwitterions allow the avoidance of strongly basic or acidic condition and avoidance of metal contamination in the products. Reactions are carried out at ambient or only modestly elevated temperatures. The amide/iminium zwitterion catalyst is easily recycled and reactions proceed in high to quantitative yields.

Abstract: Zwitterion ligand metal complexes and methods of aerobic oxidation using a zwitterion ligand metal complex are provided. The zwitterion ligand metal complexes can include a transition metal salt and a zwitterion ligand, which can comprise a non-conjugated amide anion-phosphonium cation, an amide anion-ammonium cation, or an iminium cation. The methods of aerobic oxidation can include combining the zwitterion ligand metal complex with an oxidizable compound and molecular oxygen to allow the isolation of an oxidized compound from the oxidizable compound.

Abstract: Zwitterion ligand metal complexes and methods of aerobic oxidation using a zwitterion ligand metal complex are provided. The zwitterion ligand metal complexes can include a transition metal salt and a zwitterion ligand, which can comprise a non-conjugated amide anion-phosphonium cation, an amide anion-ammonium cation, or an iminium cation. The methods of aerobic oxidation can include combining the zwitterion ligand metal complex with an oxidizable compound and molecular oxygen to allow the isolation of an oxidized compound from the oxidizable compound.

Abstract: An amide/iminium zwitterion catalyst has a catalyst pocket size that promotes transesterification and dehydrative esterification. The amide/iminium zwitterions are easily prepared by reacting aziridines with aminopyridines. The reaction can be applied a wide variety of esterification processes including the large-scale synthesis of biodiesel. The amide/iminium zwitterions allow the avoidance of strongly basic or acidic condition and avoidance of metal contamination in the products. Reactions are carried out at ambient or only modestly elevated temperatures. The amide/iminium zwitterion catalyst is easily recycled and reactions proceed in high to quantitative yields.