Towards Sustainable Synthesis of Nylon 11–13 Precursors Using Ring-Closing Olefin Metathesis Strategy

We have recently developed new methods for the synthesis of high-order nylon precursors from oleic acids, an abundant feedstock available from various renewable sources. One of our strategies uses ring-closing metathesis as the key carbon-carbon disconnection/formation step. Although the synthesis is concise, it requires high temperature, halogenated solvents under dilute conditions, and high catalyst loading; all of which can be obstacle for industrial applications. To circumvent the issues, we have developed an improved method for the metathesis reaction that uses low temperature, non-halogenated solvent, and the catalyst with high stability that potentially enable recycling. Details of our work with focus on catalyst structure reactivity relationship will be presented.