Recovery of enlarged olefin metathesis catalysts by nanofiltration in an eco-friendly solvent

ChemSusChem. 2008;1(11):927-33. doi: 10.1002/cssc.200800152.

Abstract

This study was aimed at integrating a green separation process without phase change, namely nanofiltration, with olefin metathesis to recover the homogeneous catalyst. As the commercially available Hoveyda II catalyst was not sufficiently retained by the membrane, a set of homogeneous ruthenium-based catalysts were prepared to enhance the recovery of the catalyst by solvent-resistant commercial membranes made of polyimide (Starmem 228). The molecular weights of the catalysts were gradually increased from 627 to 2195 g mol(-1), and recovery was found to increase from around 70 % to 90 % both in toluene and dimethyl carbonate. The most retained catalyst was then engaged in a series of model ring-closing metathesis reactions associated to a final nanofiltration step to recover and recycle the catalyst. Up to five cycles could be performed before a deterioration in the performance of the process was observed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkenes / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Filtration / methods*
  • Formates / chemistry
  • Green Chemistry Technology / methods*
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Nanotechnology*
  • Solvents / chemistry*
  • Toluene / chemistry

Substances

  • Alkenes
  • Formates
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Solvents
  • Toluene
  • methyl carbonate