| Abstract: | Catalytic Metathesis of Esters of Unsaturated Fatty Acids Several active and selective catalysts have been developed for the metathesis of unsaturated hydrocarbons in homogeneous medium. These are based on WCl6 and MoCl5 with Sn(CH3)4, Sn(C6H5)4 and Pb(C6H6)4 as the most important co-catalysts. These catalyst systems also permit the metathesis of compounds having functional groups, such as esters of fatty acids and halogenated hydrocarbons. The metathesis of esters of fatty acids enables the synthesis of numerous compounds, which so far were either unknown or difficult to synthesize. Such compounds are, for instance, certain long chain unsaturated dicarboxylic acids which are derived from monoenoic fatty acids, such as oleic acid and erucic acid. From technological viewpoint the unsaturated dicarboxylic acids might be significant as raw material for the preparation of unsaturated polyesters and polyamides, as well as for the synthesis of certain flavoring agents. The metathesis of fatty oils (glycerides) leads to the formation of high molecular weight compounds. The metathesis of semi-drying and drying oils offers the possibility to prepare stand oils having good drying properties. |
