METATHESIS OF UNSATURATED FATTY ACID ESTERS OR UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS WITH LOWER OLEFINS

摘要

An olefin metathesis process involving contacting an unsaturated fatty acid ester or unsaturated fatty acid, such as methyloleate or oleic acid, with a lower olefin, preferably ethylene, in the presence of a metathesis catalyst so as to prepare a first product olefin, preferably, a reduced chain alpha -olefin, such as methyl-9-decenoate or 9-decenoic acid, respectively. The metathesis catalyst contains ruthenium or osmium and a chelating ligand, preferably, a chelating ligand containing a carbene moiety and a second donor moiety of a Group 15 or 16 element. Optionally, the catalyst can be supported on a catalyst support, such as, a cross-linked polymeric resin.