Refining of Plant Oils to Chemicals by Olefin Metathesis

Refining of Plant Oils to Chemicals by Olefin Metathesis:

Abstract

Plant oils are attractive substrates for the chemical industry. Their scope for the production of chemicals can be expanded by sophisticated catalytic conversions. Olefin metathesis is an example, which also illustrates generic issues of “biorefining” to chemicals. Utilization on a large scale requires high catalyst activities, which influences the choice of the metathesis reaction. The mixture of different fatty acids composing a technical-grade plant oil substrate gives rise to a range of products. This decisively determines possible process schemes, and potentially provides novel chemicals and intermediates not employed to date.

The range of applications for plant oils in the chemical industry could be expanded by modern catalytic processes. The industrial application of olefin metathesis requires high catalyst activities, which influences the choice of the reaction. The mixture of fatty acids in a technical-grade plant oil substrate gives rise to a range of products. This determines the possible process schemes. Potentially novel chemicals and intermediates can be formed.

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