Sri International

Amoco Corporation

Bp Amoco Corporation

Nippon Synthetic Chemical Company

Robert B Wilson

Christopher D Tagge

Albert S Hirschon

Sigridur Jonasdottir

Marianna F Asaro

Guido Mul

Seajin Oh

Ripudaman Malhotra

Gary A Koolpe

Yuhua Du

Daniel Steele

Brian Adair

Hiroyuki Ono

Karen Meyer

David Bomberger

The invention provides methods and apparatus ultimately for converting a carbonaceous material to liquid hydrocarbons suitable for use, for example, as transportation fuels. In a first step the carbonaceous material is converted to a syngas product, and in subsequent steps the syngas product is converted to the desired liquid hydrocarbons. In one embodiment, coal and methane are converted to syngas, and the syngas product is converted to hydrocarbons through a methanol intermediate. An example use for the methods and apparatus of the invention is in the preparation of aviation fuels.

Gasification of a carbonaceous material

The invention is directed to olefin copolymers composed of nonhydrolyzable monomer units and hydrolyzable monomer units, the latter resulting from copolymerization of monomers containing a linkage that is hydrolytically cleavable in the presence of aqueous base or aqueous acid. Generally, the hydrolyzable monomer units represent a significant fraction of the copolymer, such that upon hydrolysis, a substantial portion of the copolymer is degraded into low molecular weight fragments. Also provided are degradable articles that are at least partially composed of a degradable copolymer in which hydrolyzable monomer units represent at least 20 mole % of the copolymer. These degradable articles include agricultural film products, adhesive tape substrates, bed linens, containers, disposable absorbent articles, packaging materials, bags, labels, pillow cases, protective clothing, surgical drapes, sponges, tampon applicators, disposable syringes, temporary enclosures and temporary siding, toys, wipes, foamed plastic products, and controlled release pellets, strips and tabs.

Olefin copolymers containing hydrolytically cleavable linkages and use thereof in degradable products

A method is provided for the polymerization of olefins substituted with a functional group using a transition metal catalyst that, by virtue of one or more stabilizing groups incorporated within the catalyst structure, 'fixes' the stereoconfiguration of each olefinic monomer relative to the transition metal complex during each successive reaction in the polymerization process. The invention substantially reduces the likelihood of olefin rearrangement at the active site of the catalyst during polymerization. In one particular embodiment, the functional group is a polar, electron-donating group and the stabilizing group is a Lewis acid substituent; examples of polymers that can be prepared with such a system include poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl alcohol), and poly(vinyl ethers). Novel complexes and catalyst systems useful in the polymerization method are also provided.

Transition metal complexes in the controlled synthesis of polyolefins substituted with functional groups

Workstation, apparatuses and methods for the high-throughput synthesis, screening and/or characterization of combinatorial libraries. The invention relates to an array, which permits various high-throughput methods for synthesis, screening and/or characterization in the same array, without requiring sample transfer from the array. In a preferred embodiment, the synthesis, screening, and/or characterization steps are carried out in a highly parallel fashion, where more than one compound is synthesized, screened, and/or characterized at the same time. The invention may be practiced at the microscale. The array may comprise thermal channels, for regulating the temperature of the wells in the array. The wells of the array may comprise a membrane, which is used in various screening and characterization methods. The invention also relates to a covered array, comprising the array and an array cover, as well as an apparatus comprising the array, which comprises the array, an array cover and a stage. The array, array cover, and the stage may be modified as required for a variety of synthesis and/or analysis techniques. The array is easily interchangeable between different analytical instruments, and in an embodiment, the invention relates to an automated workstation, where the array is transferred between different synthesis, screening, and characterization stations. The invention also relates to a variety of methods for synthesis, screening, and characterization, which are adapted for combinatorial chemistry. Any of the embodiments of the invention may be used either alone or taken in various combinations.

Reaction calorimeter and differential scanning calorimeter for the high-throughput synthesis, screening and characterization of combinatorial libraries

Novel compounds are provided that are useful as catalysts, particularly in the polymerization of addition polymerizable monomers such as olefinic or vinyl monomers. The compounds are multinuclear complexes of transition metals coordinated to at least one unsaturated nitrogenous ligand. Catalyst systems containing the novel compounds in combination with a catalyst activator are provided as well, as are methods of using the novel compounds in the preparation of polyolefins.

Multinuclear transition metal catalysts for preparation of multimodal polymer compositions

Novel compounds are provided which are useful as catalysts, particularly in the polymerization of addition polymerizable monomers such as olefinic or vinyl monomers. The compounds are complexes of a mid-transition metal coordinated to at least two ligands, at least one of which is an unsaturated nitrogenous ligand. Depending on ligand substitution, stereospecific catalysts can be provided, including isospecific catalysts and syndiospecific catalysts. Catalyst systems containing the novel compounds in combination with a catalyst activator are provided as well, as are methods of using the novel compounds in the preparation of polyolefins. One embodiment of the present invention is a compound having the formula L[MQQ]Lin which M is Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Mn or Re, Qand Qare each a univalent substituent, and Land Lare ligands coordinated to M, wherein Lcontains a first coordinating nitrogen atom within a C&#x2550;N group, and a second coordinating atom that is either a second nitrogen atom, optionally present in a second C&#x2550;N group, or an oxygen, sulfur or phosphorus atom. The Lgroup contains a coordinating atom that is either a second nitrogen atom, optionally within a C&#x2550;N group, or a sulfur or phosphorus atom.

Complexes of mid-transition metals and unsaturated nitrogenous ligands as single-site catalysts

A process is provided for use in the conversion of alkanes into alkylene oxides, having particular utility in the conversion of propane to form propylene oxide, using a lanthanide-promoted, supported, silver catalyst prepared via precipitation. A preferred embodiment uses silver nitrate and lanthanum nitrate to form the catalyst on a BaCO support.

Preparation of epoxides from alkanes using lanthanide-promoted silver catalysts

Viscosity and mass sensor for the high-throughput synthesis, screening and characterization of combinatorial libraries

Hydrolytically degradable olefin copolymers, such as ethylene copolymers, contain a hydrolyzable component in the backbone that allows the copolymer to be broken down into dispersable fragments upon exposure to aqueous conditions. The copolymers are prepared by transition metal-catalyzed polymerization.

Hydrolytically degradable olefin copolymers

A process is provided for use in the epoxidation of olefins, having particular utility in the epoxidation of propylene to form propylene oxide, using a lanthanide-promoted, supported, silver catalyst prepared via precipitation. A preferred embodiment uses silver nitrate and lanthanum nitrate to form the catalyst on a BaCO support.

Epoxidation of olefins using lanthanide-promoted silver catalysts

Novel compounds are provided which are useful as catalysts, particularly in the polymerization of addition polymerizable monomers such as olefinic or vinyl monomers. The compounds are complexes of a mid-transition metal coordinated to at least two ligands, at least one of which is an unsaturated nitrogenous ligand. Depending on ligand substitution, stereospecific catalysts can be provided, including isospecific catalysts and syndiospecific catalysts. Catalyst systems containing the novel compounds in combination with a catalyst activator are provided as well, as are methods of using the novel compounds in the preparation of polyolefins.

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Robert B Wilson