Metathesis of fatty acid ester derivatives in 1,1-dialkyl and 1,2,3-trialkyl imidazolium type ionic liquids

Abstract

The self-metathesis of methyl oleate and methyl ricinoleate was carried out in the presence of ruthenium alkylidene catalysts 1-4 in [bmim] and [bdmim][X] type ionic liquids (RTILs) (X = PF 6-, BF 4- and NTf 2-) using the gas chromatographic technique. Best catalytic performance was obtained in [bdmim][X] type ionic liquids when compared with [bmim][X] type ionic liquids. Catalyst recycling studies were also carried out in the room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) with catalysts 1-4 in order to explore their possible industrial application. © 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.