SYNTHETIC METHOD

摘要

A method of alkene metathesis comprising the reaction of at least one monoalkene with ethene in the presence of a diene. The invention also relates to the use of a diene to promote an ethenolysis reaction conducted on a monoalkene. The metathesis catalyst is preferably an alkylidene ruthenium catalyst such as the benzylidene and indenylidene catalysts shown in a). Preferred ethenolysis reactions include those on cashew nut shell liquid comprising the ethenolysis of cardanol to prepare 3-nonen-8-ylphenol and 1-octene. The ethenolysis of methylated anacardic acid (14) to form methyl-2-methoxy-6-(non-8-en-1-yl)benzoate (15) is also disclosed. Hydrogenation of 3-non-8-enylphenol, ethoxylation of the resultant 3-nonylphenol to provide ethoxy-3-nonylphenol or oligoethoxy-3-nonylphenol (as defined herein) is also disclosed.