1,2-Azaborine: The Boron-Nitrogen Derivative of ortho-Benzyne.

The BN analogue of ortho-benzyne, 1,2-azaborine, is generated by flash vacuum pyrolysis, trapped under cryogenic conditions, and studied by direct spectroscopic techniques. The parent BN aryne spontaneously binds N2 and CO2, thus demonstrating its highly reactive nature. The interaction with N2 is photochemically reversible. The CO2 adduct of 1,2-azaborine is a cyclic carbamate which undergoes photocleavage, thus resulting in overall CO2 splitting.

Low temperature extraction and upgrading of oil sands and bitumen in supercritical fluid mixtures.

Preliminary results are reported for the extraction and catalytic hydrocracking of Alberta bitumen and oil sands using supercritical fluid mixtures; high levels of extraction and upgrading were attained using reaction conditions significantly milder than those previously reported.