Olefin metathesis: a mature technology driving sustainable industrial chemistry
Olefin metathesis: a mature technology driving sustainable industrial chemistry
More than two decades after the Nobel Prize honored the development of olefin metathesis in organic synthesis, this transformation has firmly established itself as a workhorse of modern industrial chemistry. Today, olefin metathesis is no longer confined to academic laboratories - it is actively shaping large-scale production across multiple sectors.
This industrial breakthrough has been enabled by the precise design of highly active homogeneous ruthenium catalysts, which allow metathesis reactions to be performed with exceptional efficiency while significantly reducing overall process costs. Continuous advances in catalyst architecture have translated directly into higher turnover numbers, lower metal loadings, and improved robustness under industrial conditions.
From R&D discovery to industrial implementation
During the webinar, presented in collaboration with Apeiron Synthesis, a series of real-world success stories demonstrated how olefin metathesis has been implemented in the production of:
-
pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs,
-
fragrances and pheromones,
-
advanced polymers,
-
renewable oleochemicals and bio-based feedstocks.
These examples clearly showed that fundamental catalyst development and industrial scale-up have progressed together, enabling safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible processes. Metathesis today offers not only synthetic elegance, but also tangible advantages in terms of waste reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainability.
Outstanding performance under demanding conditions
One of the key highlights of the presentation was the performance of modern ruthenium catalysts in highly challenging reactions. Turnover numbers reaching seven digits, combined with catalyst loadings as low as ppm or even ppb, were demonstrated - including in demanding transformations such as ethenolysis.
These results confirm that olefin metathesis has reached a level of maturity that makes it fully compatible with large-scale manufacturing, strict regulatory requirements, and economic constraints.
Looking ahead: growing applications of metathesis
The webinar also explored future growth areas where olefin metathesis is expected to play an increasingly important role. Particular attention was given to:
-
the production of linear alpha-olefins (LAOs) from fatty acid esters,
-
the synthesis of key building blocks for next-generation anti-obesity drugs, including Semaglutide and Tirzepatide.
These applications highlight how metathesis continues to expand beyond traditional domains, offering scalable and sustainable routes to high-value chemicals.
Olefin metathesis as an industrial standard
The message is clear: olefin metathesis is no longer an emerging technology. It is a proven, reliable, and sustainable solution that delivers real value in industrial chemistry - and ruthenium catalysts remain at the heart of this transformation.
š Webinar: 27 January | 14:00 (GMT+1)
š Join the webinar
Curious where metathesis delivers the most value today? Join the webinar to learn more!