title: p-Cymene as Solvent for Olefin Metathesis: Matching Efficiency and Sustainability.
abstract: The underexploited biorenewable p-cymene is employed as a solvent for the metathesis of various substrates. p-Cymene is a nontoxic compound that can be obtained in large amounts as a side product of the cellulose and citrus industry. For the cross-metathesis of estragole with methyl acrylate, this solvent prevents the consecutive double-bond isomerization of the product and affords the best yield of all solvents tested. Undesired consecutive isomerization is a major challenge for many substrates in olefin metathesis, including pharmaceutical precursors, and the use of p-cymene as a solvent may be a way to prevent it. This solvent results in a better metathesis performance than toluene for the three substrates tested in this work, matching its performance for two other substrates.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Artur V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Granato
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandra G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
mesh_terms: D000475:Alkenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D000081007:Cymenes; D007536:Isomerism; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000475:Alkenes; D000081007:Cymenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D012997:Solvents; C007210:4-cymene
keywords: homogeneous catalysis; metathesis; olefins; p-cymene; renewable resources