Improved reactivity in the conversion of nitrile-functionalized olefins by metathesis

• Improvement in bio-sourced fatty esters conversion
• Synthesis of alpha-omega ester-nitrile compounds
• Functionalizing cross-metathesis of methyl oleate
• New nitrile-functionalized carbene ruthenium complex

In this contribution, we study the conversion of a bio-sourced unsaturated fatty ester by cross-metathesis with nitrile-functionalized olefinic partners (acrylonitrile and crotonitrile). A switch from terminal to internal olefins leads to higher conversion. This is in part rationalized by involvement of a more stable ruthenium ethylidene species with crotonitrile. A new carbenic complex forms upon reaction with the nitrile-functionalized olefins, that is also catalytically active.

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