Abstract: The invention relates to the process for preparing ethylenedialkylphosphinic acids, esters and salts, wherein a) a phosphonic acid source (I) is reacted with olefins (IV) in the presence of a catalyst A to give an alkylphosphonous acid (II), or salt or ester thereof, b) the alkylphosphonous acid (II), or the salt or ester thereof, is reacted with an acetylenic compound (V) in the presence of a catalyst B to give the ethylenedialkylphosphinic acid derivative (III) where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R11, R12, R13, R14 are the same or different and are each independently H, C1-C18-alkyl, C6-C18-aryl, C6-C18-aralkyl, C6-C18-alkylaryl, where the C6-C18-aryl, C6-C18-aralkyl, C6-C18-alkylaryl groups may be substituted by —C(O)CH3, OH, CH2OH, NH2, NO2, OCH3, SH and/or OC(O)CH3, and X is Mg, Ca, Al, Sb, Sn, Ge, Ti, Fe, Zr, Zn, Ce, Bi, Sr, Mn, Cu, Ni, Li, Na, K, H and/or a protonated nitrogen base, and/or is H, C1-C18-alkyl, C6-C18-aryl, C6-C18-aralkyl, C6-C18-alkylaryl, (CH2)kOH, CH2—CHOH—CH2OH, (CH2)kO(CH2)lH, (CH2

Abstract: Gas separation membrane compositions including at least one crosslinked polymer, gas separation membranes made of such compositions, methods for making such gas separation membranes, and methods of using such membranes to separate gases are described. In one embodiment, the crosslinked polymer includes polyarylene ethers (PAE).

Abstract: This invention relates to the design of a process by intermittent dielectric heating combined with a recycling system. This process consists in subjecting reagents to electromagnetic waves selected in the frequencies ranging between 300 GHz and 3 MHz intermittently using a recycling system. This process enables the treatment of oils that are hardly absorbent as well as great investment savings. This process enables operation on different scales, whether in laboratories, on a semi-industrial or industrial scale, without forfeiting the advantages of continuous dielectric heating.

Abstract: Efficient method for preparing sulfonium photoacid generators (PAGs) by microwave-assisted reaction of diarylsufides in the presence of alkylaryliodonium salts. Microwave-assisted synthesis of the PAGs is significantly faster, reducing reaction time with less energy consumption. Reaction times using the microwave-assisted synthesis are in a range of from 90 to 420 faster than conventional thermal conditions. The photoacid quantum yields of several salts prepared by the microwave reaction were measured; the photoacid quantum yields of new sulfonium PAGs were in a range from 0.01 to 0.4 times greater than yields from conventional synthesis. Incorporating a nitro group in the structures of the sulfonium salts increased photoacid quantum yield, induced intersystem crossing and increased the efficiency of photoacid generation compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous method for N-acylating amino group-carrying organic acids by reacting at least one carboxylic acid of formula (I) R1—COOH (I), wherein R1 represents hydrogen or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group with 1 to 50 carbon atoms, with at least one at least one amino group-carrying organic acid of formula (II) R2NH-A-X (II), wherein A represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group with 1 to 50 carbon atoms, X represents an acid group or the metal salt thereof and R2 represents hydrogen, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group with 1 to 50 C atoms or a group of the formula -A-X, wherein A and X independently are defined as above, in a reaction tube the longitudinal axis of which extends in the direction of propagation of the microwaves of a monomode microwave applicator, under microwave irradiation to form amide.

Abstract: Methods for generating metallic particles in situ in a polymer are disclosed. A method includes (a) contacting the polymer with a solution comprising (i) a solvent, (ii) a metal salt, and (iii) a free radical generator; (b) removing the polymer from the solution; and (c) exposing the polymer to actinic radiation. Polymer composites and polymer nanocomposites comprising inorganic particulates comprising metallic particles generated in the polymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter demonstrates that a spin state which has zero magnetic resonance signal, but an extremely long lifetime, can be used to store magnetization, which can then be recovered into an observable transition. Coupled with hyper-polarization techniques, this permits the preparation of a wide range of contrast agent molecules for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques that have long effective relaxation time.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of functionalized particles includes providing a feedstock made of particles, a surface treatment agent reactive with the particles, and solvent. The feedstock is exposed to microwave radiation to heat the feedstock and react the particles with the surface treatment agent to provide the functionalized particles in less than about 60 minutes.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design of a process by intermittent dielectric heating combined with a recycling system. This process consists in subjecting reagents to electromagnetic waves selected in the frequencies ranging between 300 GHz and 3 MHz intermittently using a recycling system. This process enables the treatment of oils that are hardly absorbent as well as great investment savings. This process enables operation on different scales, whether in laboratories, on a semi-industrial or industrial scale, without forfeiting the advantages of continuous dielectric heating.

Abstract: A method of microwave synthesis of phosphors includes a microwave furnace having a microwave chamber; providing starting material in the microwave chamber; and subjecting the starting material to microwaves, whereby the starting material is synthesized into phosphors. An insulation package for use in microwave synthesis is disclosed that includes an insulator having an opening therein, wherein the opening is substantially symmetrically disposed in relation to a central axis of the insulator, and wherein the opening is adapted to receive starting material. A susceptor configuration may be positioned within the cavity, wherein the insulator, the cavity, and the susceptor configuration are substantially symmetrically disposed in relation to an axis of rotation of the insulation package. A microwave furnace for continuous microwave synthesis of phosphors is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is draw to microwave heating of a transition metal-catalysed organic reaction, in which a catalyst complex between a transition metal and an auxiliary ligand or ligands, the ligand being asymmetric or symmetric, monodentate or bidentate, results in highly chemoselective, regioselective, and stereoselective allylic substitution reactions. Molybdenum or palladium complexes form suitable catalytic systems with a plethora of ligands in a variety of solvents for such microwave facilitated nucleophilic substitution reactions.