Functionalized value-added products via metathesis of methyloleate over methyltrioxorhenium supported on ZnCl2-promoted mesoporous alumina

Production of useful building block materials with high value-added from natural resources is becoming increasingly relevant due to depletion of fossil-derived feedstock. Metathesis of recycled vegetable oils with satisfactory activity is viewed as challenging but possible and attractive route for production of these building blocks. A novel rhenium based catalyst supported on mesoporous alumina modified by zinc chloride was developed, characterized and tested for metathesis of methyloleate, a model molecule for the triglycerides and oils. The catalyst showed a high activity and a good selectivity equivalent to that of homogeneous second generation Grubbs catalyst where a conversion of 92.0% after 30 min of reaction and a total metathesis product yield of 86.7% with 52% attributed to the desired metathesis products were attained. This paper highlighted also the effect of methyltrioxorhenium (MTO) loading on the metathesis activity where 3% MTO loading revealed to be optimum.