Striking difference between alkane and olefin metathesis using the well-defined precursor [Si–O–WMe5]: indirect evidence in favour of a bifunctional catalyst W alkylidene–hydride

Abstract

Metathesis of linear alkanes catalyzed by the well-defined precursor (Si–O–WMe₅) affords a wide distribution of linear alkanes from methane up to triacontane. Olefin metathesis using the same catalyst and under the same reaction conditions gives a very striking different distribution of linear α-olefins and internal olefins. This shows that olefin and alkane metathesis processes occur via very different pathways.