Organometallic complexes of molybdenum and tungsten as catalyst precursors in the disproportionation of propene

Abstract

Organometallic complexes of molybdenum and tungsten have been supported on silica or alumina and activated at temperatures at or above 373 K; the activities of the resulting substances as propene-disproportionation catalysts have been determined at ambient temperatures. Catalysts derived from alkyl and acetato-complexes show activities of the same order as catalysts made from supported Mo(CO)₆. Tungsten-based catalysts have activities of the same order as molybdenum-derived catalysts, and catalysts derived from less thermally stable complexes are the more active. No propene disproportionation has been observed for chromium-based catalysts.