An organic reductant, in particular an organo silicon reductant suitable for activating supported catalysts of the type MO.sub.nE.sub.m, wherein E is S and/or Se, in particular MO.sub.n, wherein M is W, Mo or Re, is described as well as its use in metathesis reactions. The reduced catalysts are able to metathesize olefins at low temperatures and are therefore also suitable for metathesis of functionalized olefins.

An organic reductant, in particular an organo silicon reductant suitable for activating supported catalysts of the type MO.sub.nE.sub.m, wherein E is S and/or Se, in particular MO.sub.n, wherein M is W, Mo or Re, is described as well as its use in metathesis reactions. The reduced catalysts are able to metathesize olefins at low temperatures and are therefore also suitable for metathesis of functionalized olefins.

Improved iminium based processes for the production of cyanoacrylates and methylidene malonates wherein the improvement pertains to the presence of acid chlorides and/or acid anhydrides in the reaction mix.

Improved iminium based processes for the production of cyanoacrylates and methylidene malonates wherein the improvement pertains to the presence of acid chlorides and/or acid anhydrides in the reaction mix.

Fatty amine compositions made from a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives are disclosed. In another aspect, fatty amidoamines made by reacting a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives with an aminoalkyl-substituted tertiary amine are disclosed. The fatty amines or amidoamines are advantageously sulfonated, sulfitated, oxidized, or reduced. In other aspects, the ester derivative is a modified triglyceride made by self-metathesis of a natural oil or an unsaturated triglyceride made by cross-metathesis of a natural oil with an olefin.

Fatty amine compositions made from a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives are disclosed. In another aspect, fatty amidoamines made by reacting a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives with an aminoalkyl-substituted tertiary amine are disclosed. The fatty amines or amidoamines are advantageously sulfonated, sulfitated, oxidized, or reduced. In other aspects, the ester derivative is a modified triglyceride made by self-metathesis of a natural oil or an unsaturated triglyceride made by cross-metathesis of a natural oil with an olefin.

A composition comprising about 97 mole percent or greater of one or more 1,1-dicarbonyl substituted-1-ethylenes and about 3 mole percent or less of one or more 1,1-dicarbonyl substituted-methanes. A process comprising: contacting in a fluid state one or more 1,1-dicarbonyl substituted-1,1 hydroxymethyl-methanes and greater than 200 ppm to about 1000 ppm of one or more strong acids based on the weight of the one or more 1,1-dicarbonyl substituted-1,1 hydroxymethyl-methanes with a zeolite catalyst at a temperature of about 180° C. to about 220° C. for a sufficient time to convert about 96 percent or greater of the one or more 1,1-dicarbonyl substituted-1,1 hydroxymethyl-methanes to one or more 1,1-dicarbonyl substituted-1-ethylenes.

A composition comprising about 97 mole percent or greater of one or more 1,1-dicarbonyl substituted-1-ethylenes and about 3 mole percent or less of one or more 1,1-dicarbonyl substituted-methanes. A process comprising: contacting in a fluid state one or more 1,1-dicarbonyl substituted-1,1 hydroxymethyl-methanes and greater than 200 ppm to about 1000 ppm of one or more strong acids based on the weight of the one or more 1,1-dicarbonyl substituted-1,1 hydroxymethyl-methanes with a zeolite catalyst at a temperature of about 180° C. to about 220° C. for a sufficient time to convert about 96 percent or greater of the one or more 1,1-dicarbonyl substituted-1,1 hydroxymethyl-methanes to one or more 1,1-dicarbonyl substituted-1-ethylenes.

Subject of the invention is a process for producing a biofuel from fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) obtained by transesterification of vegetable oils, comprising the steps of (a) ethenolysis of the fatty acid methyl esters in the presence of ethylene and an ethenolysis catalyst, and (b) isomerizing metathesis in the presence of an isomerization catalyst and a metathesis catalyst.

The invention also relates to biofuels obtainable by the inventive process and to uses of ethylene for adjusting and optimizing biofuels.

Subject of the invention is a process for producing a biofuel from fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) obtained by transesterification of vegetable oils, comprising the steps of (a) ethenolysis of the fatty acid methyl esters in the presence of ethylene and an ethenolysis catalyst, and (b) isomerizing metathesis in the presence of an isomerization catalyst and a metathesis catalyst.

The invention also relates to biofuels obtainable by the inventive process and to uses of ethylene for adjusting and optimizing biofuels.