In one aspect, the invention provides a method for synthesizing a fatty olefin derivative. The method includes: a) contacting an olefin according to Formula I ##STR00001##
with a metathesis reaction partner according to Formula IIb ##STR00002##
in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesis product according to Formula IIIb: ##STR00003##
and
b) converting the metathesis product to the fatty olefin derivative. Each R.sup.1 is independently selected from H, C.sub.1-18 alkyl, and C.sub.2-18 alkenyl; R.sup.2b is C.sub.1-8 alkyl; subscript y is an integer ranging from 0 to 17; and subscript z is an integer ranging from 0 to 17. In certain embodiments, the metathesis catalyst is a tungsten catalyst or a molybdenum catalyst. In various embodiments, the fatty olefin derivative is a pheromone. Pheromone compositions and methods of using them are also described.

This invention relates generally to olefin metathesis catalyst compounds, to the preparation of such compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds, articles of manufacture comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds in the metathesis of olefins and olefin compounds. The invention has utility in the fields of catalysts, organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, and industrial and fine chemicals industry.

This disclosure relates to processes for converting saturated polyethylene to at least an alkene product. The processes comprise contacting the saturated polyethylene with three or more catalyst components in a reactor, the reactor comprising an alkene reactant. The three or more catalyst components comprise a metathesis catalyst component, an isomerization catalyst component, and a dehydrogenation catalyst component. Contacting causes at least a portion of the saturated polyethylene to undergo dehydrogenation reactions to form unsaturated polyethylene and at least a portion of the unsaturated polyethylene, or products derived therefrom, to undergo metathesis reactions and isomerization reactions to produce an effluent comprising at least the alkene product.

Novel ruthenium complexes of general formula 4

##STR00001##

in which the substituents are defined herein. The present disclosure relates also to methods for preparing such compounds and use thereof as catalysts and/or (pre)catalysts in olefin cross metathesis.

The invention provides a method for synthesizing musk macrocycles comprising contacting an easily accessible diene starting materials bearing a Z-olefin moiety and performing a ring closing metathesis reaction in the presence of a Group 8 olefin metathesis catalyst. ##STR00001##

The invention is directed to ruthenium-based metathesis catalysts of the Grubbs-Hoveyda type. The new 2-aryloxy-substituted ruthenium catalysts described herein reveal rapid initiation behavior. Further, the corresponding styrene-based precursor compounds are disclosed. The catalysts are prepared in a cross-metathesis reaction starting from styrene-based precursors which can be prepared in a cost-effective manner.

The new Grubbs-Hoveyda type catalysts are suitable to catalyze ring-closing metathesis (RCM), cross metathesis (CM) and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Low catalyst loadings are necessary to convert a wide range of substrates including more complex and critical substrates via metathesis reactions at low to moderate temperatures in high yields within short reaction times.

The disclosure provides Group 6 complexes, which, in some embodiments, are useful for catalyzing olefin metathesis reactions. In some embodiments, the compounds are compounds of the following formula:

##STR00001##

wherein: M is a Group 6 metal atom; X is an oxygen atom, ═N—R.sup.5, ═N—N(R.sup.5)(R.sup.5′) or ═N—O—R.sup.5, R.sup.5 and R.sup.5′ independently being various substituents, such as aryl or heteroaryl, each optionally substituted; n is 0 or 1; R.sup.z is a neutral ligand; R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an organic substituent; R.sup.2 is an aryl or heteroaryl group, each optionally substituted; R.sup.3 is an anionic ligand; and R.sup.4 is an anionic ligand, such as a pyrrolide, a pyrazolide, an imidazolide, an indolide, an azaindolide, or an indazolide, each optionally substituted.

Method of making a second olefm using a first olefin, comprising steps (A) and (B): (A) performing a metathesis reaction with the first olefm in the presence of a metal complex configured to catalyse said metathesis reaction; (B) epoxidizing an olefin contained in the reaction mixture obtained in step (A) to form an epoxide; and deoxygenizing said epoxide to form said second olefin.

This invention relates generally to olefin metathesis catalysts, to the preparation of such compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds, and the use of such compounds in the metathesis of olefins and in the synthesis of related olefin metathesis catalysts. The invention has utility in the fields of catalysis, organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, and in industrial applications such as oil and gas, fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

A tetraanionic OCO pincer ligand metal-oxo-alkylidene complex is prepared from a trianionic pincer ligand supported metal-alkylidyne. The metal can be tungsten or other group 5-7 transition metal. The tetraanionic pincer ligand metal-oxo-alkylidene complex, a trianionic OCO pincer ligand metal complex, or a trianionic ONO pincer ligand metal complex can be used to polymerize cycloalkenes. The poly(cycloalkene)s are predominantly cis-alkene macrocyclics.