Are the infinitives that follow catenative verbs considered object?

Question

I am confused to find objects of catenative verbs , for example i was looking for the verb refuse and it's transitive and intransitive when i found some examples from oxford dictionary but still not able to clearely find the object, here some examples

He flatly refused to discuss the matterplease where is the object
My brother refused to allow anyone to help him.please where is the object`
He has steadfastly refused to answer my questions.

Please could you help me to understand when the verb refuse is transitive or intransitive in the given examlples .if not please give me more complicated examples of when the verb refuse plus to infinitives is intransitive or transitive.
Thank you

BillJ · Answer

He flatly refused [to discuss the matter].
My brother refused [to allow anyone to help him].
He has steadfastly refused [to answer my questions].

The whole point of the catenative construction is that the non-finite clause functions as catenative complement of a catenative verb, not as direct object. The catenative verbs concerned are thus functioning intransitively.
"Refuse" can be transitive, as in "He refused my offer of help", but in your examples "refuse" is intransitive in a catenative construction, and thus there is no direct object.

Are the infinitives that follow catenative verbs considered object?

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