Simple addition of silica to an alkane solution of a Wilkinson WMe6 or Schrock W alkylidyne complex gives an active complex for saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon metathesis.
The addition of partially dehydroxylated silica (PDS) to a solution of the Wilkinson WMe6 as well as the Schrock W neopentylidyne tris neopentyl complex catalyzes linear or cyclic alkanes to produce respectively a distribution of linear alkanes from methane up to triacontane or a mixture of cyclic and macrocyclic hydrocarbons. This single catalytic system transforms also linear α-olefins into higher and lower homologues via an isomerization/metathesis mechanism (ISOMET). This complex is also efficient towards functionalized olefins. Unsaturated fatty acid esters (FAEs) are converted into diesters corresponding to self-metathesis products.
KAUST Catalyst Center, Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia. emmanuel.callens@kaust.edu.sa Jean-Marie.Basset@kaust.edu.sa.
Emmanuel
E
Callens
Nassima
N
Riache
Karima
K
Talbi
Jean-Marie
JM
Basset