A process for producing acetic acid is disclosed in which the methyl iodide concentration is maintained in the vapor product stream formed in a flashing step. The methyl iodide concentration in the vapor product stream ranges from 24 to less than 36 wt. % methyl iodide, based on the weight of the vapor product stream. In addition, the acetaldehyde concentration is maintained within the range from 0.005 to 1 wt. % in the vapor product stream. The vapor product stream is distilled in a first column to obtain an acetic acid product stream comprising acetic acid and up to 300 wppm hydrogen iodide and/or from 0.1 to 6 wt. % methyl iodide and an overhead stream comprising methyl iodide, water and methyl acetate.

Compositions comprising metal organic frameworks and related methods and uses are generally provided, including use in selective carbonylation of heterocyclic compounds.

Process for the preparation of azidoperfluoroalkanes and azidopolyfluoroalkanes of general formula R.sub.FN.sub.3, where R.sub.F is chosen from a group containing C.sub.nF.sub.2n+1, C.sub.nF.sub.xH.sub.2n+1x, C.sub.nF.sub.xX.sub.2n+1x or R.sup.1CF.sub.2CF.sub.2, where n is an integer in the range of 1 to 10, x is an integer in the range of 2 to 20, X is Cl, Br, or I, R.sup.1 is C.sub.1-10 alkyl, ArO, ArS, imidazolyl, benzimidazolyl, or pyrazolyl and Ar is phenyl or substituted phenyl, by the reaction of electrophilic azidation reagent of general formula R.sup.2N.sub.3, where R.sup.2 is n-C.sub.4F.sub.9SO.sub.2, ArSO.sub.2, Br, I, with synthetic equivalent of polyfluoroalkylated carbanion of general formula [R.sub.F].sup..

Novel crystalline porous materials known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and methods for their synthesis are provided herein. The MOFs include a M.sub.6(.sub.3-OH).sub.8(OH).sub.8(.sup.2,.sup.2-(O.sub.2C).sub.2cyclam).sub.8 cluster, and a metal atom coordinated to the one or more cyclam of the cluster, wherein M is Zr or Hf, and the metal atom is any one of Cu, Ni, Cr, Ru, Co, and Gd. The MOFs can be used as an adsorbent, alone or in a medium with other components, of CO.sub.2. The MOFs can also be used as a catalyst for the transformation of CO.sub.2 and epoxides to cyclic carbonates. The MOFs can also be used in the electrochemical catalytic reduction of CO.sub.2. The MOFs can also be used for photocatalytic CO.sub.2 reduction for the production of carbon-based fossil fuels. The MOFs can also be used for light-induced nitric oxide (NO) release. The MOFs can also be used as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents.

The present invention provides a catalyst system for producing cyclic carbonates from carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and epoxide-based compounds comprising: a pre-catalyst; and a co-catalyst wherein said pre catalyst is BiCl.sub.3 and said co-catalyst is selected from tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB), tetra-n-butylammonium iodide (TBAI), tetra-n-butylphosphonium bromide (PBu.sub.4Br), tetra-n-butylphosphonium iodide (PBu.sub.4I) or mixtures thereof.

The present invention provides a catalyst system for producing cyclic carbonates comprising: a pre-catalyst, which is BiCl.sub.3 having amounts in the range from 5 to 10% by weight of silica support; a compound having formula (I) ##STR00001## wherein: Y is selected from bromide (Br.sup.?) or iodide (I.sup.?); R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are methyl group or R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are taken together to form a heteroaryl ring having formula (II) ##STR00002##
and a silica (SiO.sub.2) support.

A molecular building block composition can include a metal ion component; and a ligand component including a core including at least one functional group associated with the metal ion component and the core.

A compound, having a structure represented by a formula (I),

##STR00001##

and prepared by one pot synthesis of benzophenone hydrazone, 7-chloroisatin, and copper(II) acetate monohydrate, and refluxing in 100 mL of anhydrous methanol solvent for 48 hrs. A method for preparing the compound includes: collecting and placing 0.0235 g of benzophenone hydrazone, 0.6914 g of 7-chloroisatin, and 0.6720 g of copper(II) acetate monohydrate complex in a 100.0 mL flask; adding 50 mL of anhydrous methanol as a solvent; stirring a resulting mixture at room temperature for 48 hrs; performing column chromatography separation, and elution with petroleum ether/dichloromethane in a volume ratio of 1:1, and collecting final component points and naturally volatilizing the final component points to obtain 7(E)-chloro-3-diphenylmethylindolin-2-one crystals. The compound is used as a catalyst for reaction between benzophenone imine and trimethylsilonitrile, and has a catalytic effect with a conversion rate reaching 99%.

A polymer containing a carboxyl group, a preparation method and an application thereof, a supported catalyst and a preparation method thereof and preparation methods of penem antibiotic intermediate are disclosed. The polymer has high rigidity and hardness, thus the mechanical properties of the polymer is effectively improved. Meanwhile, in the polymer, the carboxyl group is used as a main functional group, and is used as a carrier to prepare, by means of a coordination reaction between the carboxyl group and a heavy metal, a supported metal catalyst which has better connection stability between the metal and the polymer. The above two factors can improve the stability of the supported metal catalyst, such that the catalyst can be recycled without losing the catalytic activity. Meanwhile, loss of a heavy metal active ingredient and production cost can be reduced.

In one aspect, the present invention provides catalysts for the carbonylation of heterocycles. The inventive catalysts feature metal-ligand complexes having cationic functional groups tethered to the ligand, wherein the tethered cationic groups are associated with anionic metal carbonyl species. The invention also provides methods of using the inventive catalysts to affect the ring opening carbonylation of epoxides.