Ethenolysis

Ethenolysis is a chemical process for the representation of terminal olefins. Chemically, it is a cross-metathesis. The general reaction equation in abstract form as follows:

Application

In the SHOP process ethenolysis is used industrially. For this purpose, the costs entailed in SHOP process α -olefin mixtures are separated by distillation, the higher molecular weight fraction is isomerized by alkaline alumina catalysts in the liquid phase and the resulting internal olefins are converted with ethene in excess by ethenolysis in α - olefins. A result of using a large excess of ethene the reaction equilibrium is shifted to the side of the terminal α - olefins. As a metathesis catalyst is rhenium (VII ) oxide on alumina.

Furthermore, methyl, which is derived from natural oils, can be converted by ethenolysis into 1-decene and methyl -9- decenoate. Another application is the degradation of natural rubber in low molecular weight polyisoprene using Grubbs catalysts.