Olefin metathesis

Olefin metathesis or transalkylidenation (in some literature, a disproportionation) is an organic reaction which involves redistribution of olefinic (alkene) bonds. Since its discovery, olefin metathesis has gained widespread use in research and industry for making products ranging from medicines and polymers to enhanced fuels. Its advantages include the creation of fewer sideproducts and hazardous wastes. Yves Chauvin, Robert H. Grubbs, Richard R. Schrock shared the 2005 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for "the development of the metathesis method in organic synthesis".

Related Topics:
Disproportionation - Organic reaction - Olefin - Alkene - Bonds - Research - Industry - Medicine - Polymer - Fuel - Sideproduct - Hazardous waste - Yves Chauvin - Robert H. Grubbs - Richard R. Schrock - 2005 - Nobel Prize in Chemistry - Organic synthesis

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The reaction is catalyzed by metals such as nickel, tungsten, ruthenium and molybdenum. The reaction consists of an alkene double bond cleavage, followed by a statistical redistribution of alkylidene fragments. The general scope is outlined by the following equation:

Related Topics:
Catalyzed - Metals - Nickel - Tungsten - Ruthenium - Molybdenum - Alkene - Double bond - Cleavage - Alkylidene

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