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".

External links

• Olefin Metathesis: The Early Days Chemical & Engineering News, December 23, 2002 Volume 80, Number 51 p. 34-38 http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/8051/8051olefin2.html
• Development of the metathesis method in organic synthesis Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences http://nobelprize.org/chemistry/laureates/2005/chemadv05.pdf