Alkane Cross-Metathesis Reaction between Light and Heavy Linear Alkanes, on a Silica Supported Well-Defined Single-Site Catalyst

Abstract

Alkane cross-metathesis of light and heavy paraffins is a compelling way to upgrade two low cost streams into more valuable products, in only one step and using a single catalyst. Herein, we report the cross-metathesis reaction between light and heavy paraffins that occurs under mild conditions on a well-defined catalyst precursor [(≡SiO)W(Me)5] treated under hydrogen at 150 °C. Experiments with isotopic labeled alkanes (13C 1-propane + n decane or n-propane + C10D22) allow us to unambiguously prove the occurrence of the cross-metathesis reaction and to elucidate the plausible reaction mechanism. In order to optimize the percent cross-metathesis between propane and n-decane, we varied several parameters; in particular, the influence of the C3/C10 ratio was found to be the most important one due to the difference in the reactivity of the two components in the alkane mixtures.