University of Michigan

The Board of Regents Acting for and on Behalf of the University of

M David Curtis

Johannes W Schwank

John I Nanos

Levi T Thompson

P Douglas Williams

Mark D McClain

The preferred polymers comprise cyclic units having sulphur at the 1 position, nitrogen at the 3 position, a substituent R group carried off of a carbon at the 4 position, and a carbon at each of the 2 and 5 positions of the thiazole ring. Each of the units is connected through the 2 or 5 position to another thiazole unit. Intermediate units are connected through the 2 and 5 positions to thiazole units on either side, terminal (end) units are connected to a respective adjacent thiazole unit at the 2 position, hydrogen or another substituent is carried off of the 5 position of the terminal unit. The R substituent group is a hydrocarbon having more than 1 carbon atom.

Thiazole polymers and method of producing same

A facile synthesis of the precursor, Cp.sub.2 Mo.sub.2 (.mu.-S).sub.2 (.mu.-SH).sub.2, to novel heterobimetallic cluster compositions (e.g., Cp.sub.2 Mo.sub.2 Fe.sub.2 (.mu.-S).sub.2 (CO).sub.8 ; Cp.sub.2 Mo.sub.2 Ni.sub.2 (.mu..sub.3 -S).sub.4 (CO).sub.2 ; Cp.sub.2 Mo.sub.2 Co.sub.2 (.mu..sub.3 -S).sub.2 (.mu..sub.4 -S)(CO).sub.4 ; Cp.sub.2 Mo.sub.2 Fe.sub.2 (.mu..sub.3 -S).sub.4 (CO).sub.6 and Cp.sub.4 Mo.sub.2 Ni.sub.2 S.sub.4 and the subsequent synthesis and use of the heterobimetallic cluster compositions as highly active and selective catalysts for the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide. Such heterobimetallic cluster catalysts supported on alumina exhibit extraordinary activity and selectivity with respect to the formation of ethane without concommitant formation of C.sub.3, C.sub.4 and heavier hydrocarbons. The catalysts are contemplated as being useful for syngas conversion even in the presence of several ppm of H.sub.2 S or the like in the feedstream.

Bimetallic cluster catalysts

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

M David Curtis