Metathesis of fatty esters derived from South African sunflower oil

The metathesis of the mixture of fatty monoesters derived from sunflower oil was examined using the WCL6‐(CH3)4Sn catalytic system. After distillation of the reactant mixture, a total conversion of 81% and a 17% yield of diesters was achieved using a 1∶1∶30 mole ratio of catalyst:cocatalyst:ester. The rate of reaction of the ethyl linoleate was double that of the oleate.