Ionic-tagged catalytic systems applied to the ethenolysis of methyl oleate

• A new ionic-tagged complex was prepared from Grubbs first generation catalyst.
• The new complex presented high activity and selectivity to methyl oleate ethenolysis.
• Nanoparticle silica was used to prepare supported ionic liquid phase catalysts.
• Mass transfer properties were improved by proper ionic liquid/support ratio.
• The 1-isopentyl-3-methylimidazole cation proved suitable for ethenolysis reactions.

A novel high selective ionophilic Hoveyda-type complex for the methyl oleate ethenolysis was prepared from Grubbs first generation catalyst. Ethenolysis under classical biphasic systems in ionic liquids showed to be mass-transference limited. This drawback was successfully solved by the catalyst dispersion on high specific surface area inorganic supports through a thin layer of ionic liquids (ILs). The supported ionic liquid phase (SILP) catalyst properties were patterned by the support type, IL cation and support/IL mass ratio. The SILP prepared with the IL 1-isopentyl-3-methylimidazole hexafluorophosphate and silica showed a turnover number higher (up to 2350) than that of biphasic systems (up to 1045).

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