Understanding the Hydro-metathesis Reaction of 1-decene by Using Well-defined Silica Supported W, Mo, Ta Carbene/Carbyne Complexes

Direct conversion of 1-decene to petroleum range alkanes was obtained using hydro-metathesis reaction. To understand this reaction we employed three different well-defined single site catalysts precursors; [(≡Si-O-)W(CH3)5] 1, [(≡Si-O-)Mo(≡CtBu)(CH2tBu)2] 2 and [(≡Si-O)Ta(=CHtBu)(CH2tBu)2] 3. We witnessed that in our conditions olefin metathesis/isomerization of 1-decene occurs much faster followed by reduction of the newly formed olefins rather than reduction of the 1-decene to decane, followed by metathesis of decane. We found that Mo-based catalyst favors 2+2 cycloaddition of 1-decene forming metallocarbene, followed by reduction of the newly formed olefins to alkanes. However, in the case of W and Ta-based catalysts, a rapid isomerization (migration) of the double bond followed by olefin metathesis and reduction of the newly formed olefins were observed. We witnessed that silica supported W catalyst precursor 1 and Mo catalyst precursor 2 are better catalysts for hydro-metathesis reaction with TONs of 818 and 808 than Ta-based catalyst 3 (TON of 334). This comparison of the catalysts provides us a better understanding that, if a catalyst is efficient in olefin metathesis reaction it would be a better catalyst for hydro-metathesis reaction.