Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

Imine Metathesis by Silica-Supported Catalysts Using the Methodology of Surface Organometallic Chemistry
Published on: October 18, 2019
Expanding the scope of metathesis: a survey of polyfunctional, single-site supported tungsten systems for hydrocarbon
Nicolas Popoff1, Etienne Mazoyer, Jérémie Pelletier
1C2P2, team COMS (CNRS-UMR 5265), Université Lyon 1, ESCPE Lyon, 43 Boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, 69626 Villeurbanne Cedex, France. mostafa.taoufik@univ-lyon1.fr.
Abstract:
Olefin metathesis is increasingly incorporated in polyfunctional industrial processes. The classical WO3/SiO2 olefin metathesis catalyst is combined to other catalysts in order to afford higher added-value chemicals. However, the combination of several reactions, not only in a single reactor, but also stemming from a single, multifunctional surface species is a desirable improvement regarding process issues. Well-defined surface organometallic tungsten species can be designed to implement targeted functionalities (carbene, hydride, alkyl, …). By tuning the metal's coordination sphere, it is possible to combine metathesis with several reactions, such as (de)hydrogenation, dimerization or isomerization. Novel, unconventional reactions for the production and upgrading of alkanes and alkenes have thus been uncovered. The reactivity of this library of supported catalysts is discussed based on the type of mediated transformations: monofunctional (alkene and alkyne metathesis), bifunctional (1-butene or 2-butenes to propylene), trifunctional (ethylene to propylene, alkane metathesis, …). Mechanistic considerations will be discussed to put these results in a wider perspective for future developments.
Related Concept Videos
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists of a...
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the surface of...
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)
Similar to cross-metathesis, ADMET also involves the formation of metallacyclobutane intermediate by [2+2] cycloaddition of one of the double bonds of a terminal diene with...
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)

