Abstract: There is presently provided methods for delivering a neuroprotective agent to a neural cell. The methods comprise contacting a neural cell with an imidazolium or imidazolinium compound as described herein, including an imidazolium or imidazolinium salt.

Abstract: The invention provides a particulate material comprising porous polymeric microparticles having a mesoporous structure. A process for making the particles is also presented. The process comprises impregnating a porous microparticulate template material with a liquid comprising one or more monomers. The one or more monomers are then polymerised in and/or on the template material to form a polymer, and the template material is then removed to produce the particulate material.

Abstract: Methods for carbon-sulfur (C—S) or carbon-oxygen (C—O) coupling reactions are provided. The methods involve the use of a transition metal complex comprising a heterocyclic carbene ligand complexed with a transition metal. Transition metal complexes comprising a heterocyclic carbene ligand complexed with nickel are also provided. The nickel heterocylic carbene complexes may be used for C—S or C—O coupling reactions.

Abstract: A process for preparing hydroxamic acids is provided. The process comprises reacting an aldehyde with a nitroso compound in the presence of a N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyst.

Abstract: A process for preparing a N-phenylisoxazolidin-5-one derivative is provided. The process for preparing the N-phenylisoxazolidin-5-one derivative comprises reacting an ?,?-unsaturated aldehyde with nitrosobenzene in the presence of a N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyst. A process for preparing an N-alkoxyphenyl protected ?-amino acid ester derivative is further provided. The process for preparing the N-alkoxyphenyl protected ?-amino acid ester derivative comprises reacting an ?,?-unsaturated aldehyde with nitrosobenzene in the presence of a N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyst to form a N-phenylisoxazolidin-5-one derivative, and then treating the N-phenylisoxazolidin-5-one derivative with an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst. A process for preparing an N-alkoxyphenyl protected ?-amino acid ester derivative, comprising treating a N-phenylisoxazolidin-5-one derivative with an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst, is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting a substrate to a product comprising exposing the substrate to a hydrosilane in the presence of a carbene catalyst.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for making hydroxymethylfurfural. A reaction mixture comprising a saccharide and a metal complex of an N-heterocyclic carbene is initially provided. The saccharide is then allowed to react at about 70° C. or below to form hydroxymethylfurfural. The saccharide may be a hexose or a mixture of hexoses, or a dimer, oligomer or polymer or copolymer of a hexose or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a catalytic group coupled to a mesocellular siliceous foam support. The catalytic group is capable of catalysing a reaction selected from the group consisting of a Friedel-Craft reaction and a Diels-Alder reaction.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymeric salt, wherein the monomer unit of the polymeric salt comprises two nitrogen containing heterocyclic groups joined by a rigid linker group. The nitrogen atoms of the heterocyclic groups are disposed so as to enable a polymeric carbene formed by from the polymeric salt to complex with a metal atom. The invention also provides a polymeric metal complex which may be made from the polymeric salt, and which may be used in a Suzuki coupling reaction. The polymeric salt may be used as a heterogeneous organic catalyst for cyanation reaction.