| Abstract: | Catalytic dimerization of methyl acrylate by homogenous ruthenium catalysts was investigated. The effect of the addition of acidic additives, supporting ligands, polymerization inhibitor, and reaction conditions on the selectivity of dimerization was studied, and possible reaction mechanism was discussed. Conversion and selectivity were significantly affected by using triphenylarsine as supporting ligand. Under mild conditions, conversion up to 98% with good selectivity to tail-to-tail product was achieved. |
