University of Southern California

Zhiyao Lu

Travis J Williams

Jeff Joseph A Celaje

Sri R Narayan

Debanjan Mitra

Valery Cherepakhin

Ivan Demianets

Conversion of vegetable-derived triglycerides to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) is a popular approach to the generation of biodiesel fuels and the basis of a growing industry. Drawbacks of the strategy are that (a) the glycerol backbone of the triglyceride is discarded as waste in this synthesis, and (2) many natural triglycerides are multiply-unsaturated or fully saturated, giving inferior performance and causing engine problems with long-term use. Here, we show that catalysis by iridium complex 1 can address both of these problems through selective reduction of triglycerides high in polyunsaturated fatty esters to FAMEs with high oleate concentration. This is realized using hydrogen imbedded in the triglyceride backbone, concurrently generating lactate as a value-added Cproduct. Additional methanol or glycerol as a hydrogen source enables reduction of corn and soybean oils to &#x3e;80% oleate.

Conversion of corn oil to upgraded biodiesel and poly(lactic acid)

A compound having formula I that is useful for C&#x2550;O reduction is provided: wherein:M is a transition metal;X, Xare each independently a counterion; andR, R, Rare each independently H, Calkyl, Caryl, or Cheteroaryl.

Nickel-based catalysts for C=O reduction and oxygen evolution

A formic acid decomposition catalyst system includes organometallic complexes having formula 1: 

Dehydrogenation of neat formic acid

A catalyst system includes a complex having formula I which advantageously has a sterically protecting N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) carbene-pyridine ligand to handle harsh reactions conditions than many prior art catalysts: wherein M is a transition metal; o is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; Ris a Calkyl, a Caryl, or an optionally substituted Cheteroaryl. In a refinement, Ris methyl, ethyl, butyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or t-butyl; R, R, R' are independently an optionally substituted Calkyl, halo (e.g., Cl, F, Br, etc), NO, an optionally substituted Caryl, or an optionally substituted Cheteroaryl; R, R&#x2032; are independently an optionally substituted Calkyl, halo, NO, an optionally substituted Caryl, or an optionally substituted Cheteroaryl; and Xis a negatively charge counter ion and L, Lare each independently a neutral ligand.

Highly robust efficient catalyst for selective dehydrogenation of neat glycerol to lactic acid

A formic acid decomposition catalyst system includes organometallic complexes having formula 1:  wherein:

A formic acid decomposition catalyst system includes metal-ligand complexes having formula 1: wherein M is a transition metal; R, Rare independently Calkyl groups; o is 1, 2, 3, or 4; Rare independently hydrogen, Calkyl groups, OR, NO, or halogen; R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, are independently hydrogen or Calkyl groups; Ris a Calkyl group; and Xis a negatively charge counter ion.

A ruthenium bis(pyrazolyl)borate scaffold that enables cooperative reduction reactivity in which boron and ruthenium centers work in concert to effect selective nitrile reduction is provided. The pre-catalyst compound [&#x3ba;-(1-pz)HB(N&#x2550;CHCH)]Ru(cymene)TfO(pz=pyrazolyl) was synthesized using readily-available materials through a straightforward route, thus making it an appealing catalyst for a number of reactions.

Growing community of inventors

Duarte, CA, United States of America

Zhiyao Lu