Metal clusters in homogeneous catalysis: isomerization of methyl linoleate

Abstract

A range of carbonyl clusters of Group VIII metals have been screened as homogeneous isomerization catalysts with methyl linoleate as the model olefin. The most active isomerization catalysts are found to be the ruthenium-based clusters, but the reaction is complicated by a competing transfer hydrogenation reaction in isopropanol. A stable complex HRu 3(CO) 9-(methyl linoleate) has been isolated from the reaction of methyl linoleate with Ru 3(CO) 12 in octane, and has been characterised by NMR and mass spectroscopies. The complex is unreactive and its formation leads to the termination of the catalytic cycle in octane with Ru 3(CO)12.