Abstract: Embodiments of an invention disclosed herein relate to particles made from zeolite catalysts and their use in oligomerization processes. In particular, shaped particles (for example, spheroid particles) are made from compositions including the contact product of at least one zeolite catalyst and at least one binder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of forming olefins, especially linear alpha olefins from fatty acids or anhydrides, each method comprising: contacting an amount of precursor carboxylic acid anhydride with a palladium catalyst comprising a bidentate bis-phosphine ligand in a reaction mixture so as to form an olefin in a product with the concomittant formation and removal of CO and water from the reaction mixture, either directly or indirectly, wherein the reaction mixture is maintained with a sub-stoichiometric excess of a sacrificial carboxylic acid anhydride, an organic acid, or both, said sub-stoichiometric excess being relative to the amount of the precursor carboxylic acid anhydride. The precursor carboxylic acid anhydride may be added to the reaction mixture directly or formed in situ by the reaction between at least one precursor carboxylic acid with a stoichiometric amount of the sacrificial acid anhydride.

Abstract: A process (10) to separate a multi-component hydrocarbon stream (26) comprising ethylene, at least one polymer and other components includes flashing the multi-component hydrocarbon stream in a first flash stage (12) from an elevated pressure of more than 30 bar(a) and an elevated temperature in the range of 150° C. to 135° C. to a flash pressure in the range of 10 bar(a) to 30 bar(a), producing a first ethylene-containing vapor overheads product (28) at a pressure in the range of 10 bar(a) to 30 bar(a) and a first flash stage bottoms product (30.1) which includes some ethylene, the at least one polymer and some of the other components. The flash pressure and the elevated temperature of the multi-component hydrocarbon stream (26) are selected such that the first flash stage bottoms product (30.1) has a concentration of the at least one polymer of less than 5% by mass to render the viscosity of the first flash stage bottoms product (30.1) at the temperature of the first flash stage bottoms product (30.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and equipment for converting C3+ olefin to, e.g., one or more of di-C3+ olefin, oligomers and polymers of C3+ olefin, branched C4+-aldehydes, C4+-carboxylic acids, and C4+ oxygenates. The invention encompasses producing methyl tert-butyl ether and diisobutylene, and converting methyl tert-butyl ether to isobutylene.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and equipment for converting C3+ olefin to, e.g., one or more of di-C3+ olefin, oligomers and polymers of C3+ olefin, branched C4+-aldehydes, C4+-carboxylic acids, and C4+ oxygenates. The invention encompasses producing methyl tert-butyl ether and diisobutylene, and converting methyl tert-butyl ether to isobutylene.

Abstract: A process (10) to separate a multi-component hydrocarbon stream (26) comprising ethylene, at least one polymer and other components includes flashing the multi-component hydrocarbon stream in a first flash stage (12) from an elevated pressure of more than 30 bar(a) and an elevated temperature in the range of 150° C. to 185° C. to a flash pressure in the range of 10 bar(a) to 30 bar(a), producing a first ethylene-containing vapour overheads product (28) at a pressure in the range of 10 bar(a) to 30 bar(a) and a first flash stage bottoms product (30.1) which includes some ethylene, the at least one polymer and some of the other components. The flash pressure and the elevated temperature of the multi-component hydrocarbon stream (26) are selected such that the first flash stage bottoms product (30.1) has a concentration of the at least one polymer of less than 5% by mass to render the viscosity of the first flash stage bottoms product (30.1) at the temperature of the first flash stage bottoms product (30.

Abstract: A new P-N-P ligand is useful in ethylene oligomerizations. In combination with i) a source of chromium; and ii) an activator such as methylalumoxane; the ligand of this invention may be used to prepare an oligomer product that contains a mixture of high purity alpha olefins. In a preferred embodiment, the ligand of this invention enables a selective oligomerization in which the majority of the liquid product is a mixture of hexene and octene. The amount of by-product polymer that is produced in preferred oligomerization reactions is advantageously low.

Abstract: A phosphine ligand suitable for use in telomerizing butadiene comprises two phenyl groups and a xanthene moiety.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is a process for oligomerizing one or more hydrocarbons. The process includes providing a feed including one or more C3 and C4 hydrocarbons to a separation zone, separating a first stream including an effective amount of C3 olefins for oligomerizing, separating a second stream including an effective amount of one or more C4 olefins for oligomerizing, providing at least a portion of the first stream to a first oligomerization zone for producing at least one of a C9 and a C12 hydrocarbon, and providing at least a portion of the second stream to a second oligomerization zone for producing at least one of a C8 and a C12 hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of preparing 1-octene at high activity and high selectivity while stably maintaining reaction activity by tetramerizing ethylene using a chromium-based catalyst system comprising a transition metal or a transition metal precursor, a cocatalyst, and a P—C—C—P backbone structure ligand represented by (R1)(R2)P—(R5)CHCH(R6)—P(R3)(R4).

Abstract: The application discloses novel processes for the oligomerization of unsaturated hydrocarbons, and more specifically the use of selected ionic liquids containing Indium (III) Chloride in the oligomerization of unsaturated hydrocarbons, which allows for selection of the oligomers formed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of preparing 1-octene at high activity and high selectivity while stably maintaining reaction activity by tetramerizing ethylene using a chromium-based catalyst system comprising a transition metal or a transition metal precursor, a cocatalyst, and a P—C—C—P backbone structure ligand represented by (R1)(R2)P—(R5)CHCH(R6)—P(R3)(R4).

Abstract: Ruthenium and osmium carbene compounds that are stable in the presence of a variety of functional groups and can be used to catalyze olefin metathesis reactions on unstrained cyclic and acyclic olefins are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making the carbene compounds. The carbene compounds are of the formula where M is Os or Ru; R1 is hydrogen; R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, and substituted or unsubstituted aryl; X and X1 are independently selected from any anionic ligand; and L and L1 are independently selected from any neutral electron donor. The ruthenium and osmium carbene compounds of the present invention may be synthesized using diazo compounds, by neutral electron donor ligand exchange, by cross metathesis, using acetylene, using cumulated olefins, and in a one-pot method using diazo compounds and neutral electron donors.

Abstract: Catalytic composition comprising at least one non-aqueous ionic liquid medium of general formula Q1+A1?, in which Q1+ represents an organic cation and A1? represents an anion, and at least one ionic component of general formula Q2+A2?, in which Q2+ represents an organic cation comprising at least one sulphonic acid or carboxylic acid function, and A2? represents an anion. The invention also relates to an isobutene dimerization process using the catalytic composition.

Abstract: An overbased salt of an oligomerized alkylhydroxyaromatic compound for use in a lubricating oil composition is disclosed, wherein the alkyl group of the alkylhydroxyaromatic compound is derived from an olefin mixture comprising propylene oligomers having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D86. Also disclosed is a propylene oligomer having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D8, wherein the propylene oligomer contains a distribution of carbon atoms that comprise at least about 50 weight percent of C14 to C20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A metal complex comprising a metal compound complexed to a heteroatomic ligand, the metal complex having Structure X: wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a substituted cycloalkyl group, an aromatic group, or a substituted aromatic group, R1c, R2c, R3c, R4c, and R5c are each independently hydrogen or an alkyl group, and MXp comprises a group IVB, VB, or VIB metal. A metal complex comprising a metal compound complexed to a diphosphino aminyl ligand comprising at least two diphosphino aminyl moieties and a linking group linking each aminyl nitrogen atom of the diphosphino aminyl moieties.

Abstract: A new P—N—P ligand is useful in ethylene oligomerizations. In combination with i) a source of chromium and ii) an activator such as methylalumoxane; the ligand of this invention may be used to prepare an oligomer product that contains a mixture of hexenes and octenes. The hexenes and octenes produced with this ligand contain very low levels of internal olefins when produced under preferred reaction conditions.

Abstract: A new P-N-P ligand in which each phosphorus atom is bonded to two ortho-fluorine substituted phenyl groups is useful in ethylene oligomerizations. In combination with i) a source of chromium and ii) an activator such as methalumoxane; the ligand of this invention may be used to prepare an oligomer product that contains a mixture of hexenes and octenes. The hexenes and octenes produced with this ligand contain very low levels of internal olefins when produced under preferred reaction conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a solid phosphoric acid catalyst which has high activity and attains high dimer selectivity in olefin dimerization reactions and efficient methods of olefin dimerization. The solid phosphoric acid catalyst comprises a carrier and phosphoric acid supported thereon. When the solid phosphoric acid catalyst is heated at 250° C. for 20 minutes, heating loss of water is 50 mass % or more based on diphosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) derived from the phosphoric acid. A method of olefin dimerization comprises bringing an olefin-containing feed material containing water in an amount of 10-1000 mass ppm into contact with the catalyst to initiate the reaction.

Abstract: This invention covers a process for dimerizing of isobutylene to Iso-octene and unique configuration is being disclosed, where the Feed is diluted to low level with recycle which has essentially no Iso-octene, dual catalyst system, new selectivator (IPA) and successive catalyst stages if needed to enhance the conversion. The process is very selective and provides higher isobutylene conversion. Additionally the invention also covers the hydrogenation of olefins to Paraffin, Iso-octene to Iso-octane product under moderate conditions and with dual or single catalyst system.

Abstract: A process for oligomerization of an olefinic feedstock that contains olefinic hydrocarbon molecules that have 2 to 10 carbon atoms per molecule is described, whereby said process comprises bringing said feedstock into contact with a catalyst that comprises at least one amorphous material with hierarchized and organized porosity and consists of at least two elementary spherical particles, each of said particles comprising a mesostructured silicon-oxide-based matrix that has a mesopore diameter of between 1.5 and 30 nm and that exhibits amorphous and microporous walls with a thickness of between 1 and 50 nm, whereby said elementary spherical particles have a maximum diameter of 200 microns.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor composition comprising: a source of chromium, molybdenum or tungsten; a first ligand having the general formula (R1)(R2P—X—P(R3)(R4); and a second ligand having the general formula (R1?)(R2?)P—X?—P(R3?)(R4?). The present invention also relates to a catalyst system comprising the catalyst precursor composition of the present invention and a cocatalyst. The present invention further relates to a process for the trimerization and tetramerization of olefinic monomers, particularly the trimerization and tetramerization of ethylene to 1-hexene and 1-octene, wherein the process comprises contacting at least one olefinic monomer with the catalyst system of the present invention.

Abstract: In a process for oligomerizing an olefinic hydrocarbon feedstock comprising at least 65 wt % olefins and/or sulfur-containing molecules, the feedstock is contacted under oligomerization conditions with (a) a first unidimensional 10-ring molecular sieve catalyst and (b) a second multidimensional crystalline molecular sieve catalyst. The first and second catalysts may be contained in separate reactors or as separate beds in a single reactor.

Abstract: A new P-N-P ligand is useful in ethylene oligomerizations. In combination with i) a source of chromium and ii) an activator such as methylalumoxane; the ligand of this invention may be used to prepare an oligomer product that contains a mixture of hexenes and octenes. The hexenes and octenes produced with this ligand contain very low levels of internal olefins when produced under preferred reaction conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst composition for ethylene oligomerization and the use thereof. Such catalyst composition includes chromium compound, ligand containing P and N, activator and accelerator; wherein the chromium compound is selected from the group consisting of acetyl acetone chromium, THF-chromium chloride and Cr(2-ethylhecanoate)3; general formula of the ligand containing P and N is shown as: in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 are phenyl, benzyl, or naphthyl. R5 is isopropyl, butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or fluorenyl; the activatior is methyl aluminoxane, ethyl aluminoxane, propyl aluminoxane and/or butyl aluminoxane; the accelerator is selected from the group consisting of 1,1,2,2,-tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrabromoethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, and compounds having a formula of X1R6X2, in which X1 and X2 are F, Cl, Br, I or alkoxyl, R6 is alkylene or arylene group; the molar ratio of chromium compound, ligand containing P and N, activator and accelerator is 1:0.

Abstract: In a process for oligomerizing an olefinic hydrocarbon feedstock, the feedstock is contacted under oligomerization conditions with (a) a first crystalline molecular sieve catalyst and (b) a second catalyst comprising a solid phosphoric acid. The first and second catalysts may be contained in separate reactors or as separate beds in a single reactor.

Abstract: A substantially surface-deactivated catalyst composition that is stable at least to 300° C. The catalyst includes a zeolite catalyst (e.g., ZSM-22, ZSM-23, or ZSM-57) having active internal Brönsted acid sites and a surface-deactivating amount of a rare earth or yttrium oxide (e.g., chosen from lanthanum oxide or lanthanides oxide). This catalyst is preferably used in a process for producing a higher olefin by oligomerizing a light olefin, wherein the process includes contacting a light olefin under oligomerization conditions with the substantially surface-deactivated catalyst composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid phosphoric acid catalyst which attains high activity and dimer selectivity in olefin dimerization reaction and an efficient method for dimerization of olefin using the same. The solid phosphoric acid catalyst comprises phosphoric acid supported on a siliceous carrier, the proportion of orthophosphoric acid in the phosphoric acid supported being 60 mol % or more in terms of phosphorus atom amount. The solid phosphoric acid catalyst is prepared by bringing a phosphoric acid aqueous solution into contact with the siliceous carrier followed by drying, the preparation step being carried out at a temperature lower than 100° C. Also provided is a method for bringing an olefin-containing raw material into contact with the catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of isobutene-containing olefin feedstock in oligomerization reactions, particularly in the production of octenes as feedstock for the manufacture of plasticizer alcohols, the process comprising contacting a feed comprising isobutene with a molecular sieve at a temperature in excess of 240° C. to produce a product low in triple-branched octenes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of preparing 1-octene at high activity and high selectivity while stably maintaining reaction activity by tetramerizing ethylene using a chromium-based catalyst system comprising a transition metal or a transition metal precursor, a cocatalyst, and a P—C—C—P backbone structure ligand represented by (R1)(R2)P—(R5)CHCH(R6)—P(R3)(R4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-line method for generating comonomer, such as 1-hexene or 1-octene, from monomer, such as ethylene. The comonomer generated is directly transported, without isolation or storage, to a polyethylene polymerization reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to series reactor beds containing different oligomerization catalysts and having independent temperature control, and processes for the oligomerization of light olefins to heavier olefins using such series reactor beds.

Abstract: The invention provides a mixed heteroatomic ligand for an oligomerization of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms, of which at least one heteroatom is sulfur and at least two heteroatoms are not the same. The invention also provides a multidentate mixed heteroatomic ligand for an oligomerization of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms of which at least one is a sulfur atom. The ligand may also contain, in addition to sulfur, at least one nitrogen or phosphorous heteroatom.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of isobutene-containing olefin feedstock in oligomerization reactions, particularly in the production of octenes as feedstock for the manufacture of plasticizer alcohols, the process comprising contacting a feed comprising isobutene with a molecular sieve at a temperature in excess of 240° C. to produce a product low in triple-branched octenes.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for trimerisation olefins, which process includes the step of contacting an olefinic feedstream with a catalyst system which includes a transition metal compound and a heteroatomic ligand and wherein the trimer is an olefin and wherein the heteroatomic ligand is described by the following general formula (R)nA-B-C(R)m.

Abstract: Process for the production of hydrocarbon blends with a high octane number by the hydrogenation of hydrocarbon blends, containing branched C8, C12 and C16 olefinic cuts, characterized by sending said blends, as such or fractionated into two streams, one substantially containing the branched C8 olefinic cut, the other substantially containing the branched C12 and C16 olefinic cuts, to a single hydrogenation zone or to two hydrogenation zones in parallel, respectively, only the stream substantially containing of saturated C8 hydrocarbons, obtained by the fractionation of the stream produced by the single hydrogenation zone or obtained by the hydrogenation zone fed by the fractionated stream substantially containing the branched C8 olefinic cut, being at least partly recycled to the single hydrogenation zone or to the hydrogenation zone fed by the fractionated stream substantially containing the branched C8 olefinic cut, and the hydrocarbon blend with a high octane number, obtained by the fractionation of the st

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of isobutene-containing olefin feedstock in oligomerization reactions, particularly in the production of octenes as feedstock for the manufacture of plasticizer alcohols, the process comprising contacting a feed comprising isobutene with a molecular sieve at a temperature in excess of 240° C. to produce a product low in triple-branched octenes.

Abstract: Process for the telomerization of a conjugated diene, wherein the conjugated diene is reacted with a compound containing an active hydrogen atom and having a formula R?—H in the presence of a telomerization catalyst based on: (a) a source of group VIII metal, (b) a bidentate ligand wherein the bidentate ligand has the general formula I R1R2M1-R-M2R3R4??(I) wherein M1 and M2 are independently P, As or Sb; R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently represent a monovalent aliphatic group; or R1, R2 and M1 together and/or R3, R4 and M2 together independently represent an optionally substituted aliphatic cyclic group with at least 5 ring atoms, of which one is the M1 or M2 atom, respectively; R represents a bivalent organic bridging group; and novel bidentate diphosphines which can be used in this process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer catalyst made from niobium for the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons, comprising a) a support component made from a doped or undoped oxide or hydroxide of an element of the V sub-group of the periodic table, or mixtures thereof, b) a layer of a promoter compound, selected from oxygen, sulphur or phosphorus compounds of an element of the VI, VII and VIII sub-group or a phosphoxy compound and mixtures thereof and c) a layer comprising a compound of platinum metal. The invention further relates to a method for production of the catalyst and the use thereof.

Abstract: A metal complex comprising a metal compound complexed to a heteroatomic ligand, the metal complex having Structure X: wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a substituted cycloalkyl group, an aromatic group, or a substituted aromatic group, R1c, R2c, R3c, R4c, and R5c are each independently hydrogen or an alkyl group, and MXp comprises a group IVB, VB, or VIB metal. A metal complex comprising a metal compound complexed to a diphosphino aminyl ligand comprising at least two diphosphino aminyl moieties and a linking group linking each aminyl nitrogen atom of the diphosphino aminyl moieties.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for polymerising olefins to branched polyolefins in the presence of a polymerisation catalyst and a cocatalyst, wherein the cocatalyst produces 1-octene in a selectivity greater than 30%.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for tetramerisation of olefins wherein the product stream of the process contains more than 30% of the tetramer olefin. The process includes the step of contacting an olefinic feedstream with a catalyst system containing a transition metal compound and a heteroatomic ligand.

Abstract: The use of a phosphorus containing Ligand as a Ligand for a metathesis catalyst in a catalysed metathesis reaction wherein the phosphorus containing Ligand is a heterocyclic organic compound with a ligating phosphorus atom as an atom in the heterocyclic ring structure of the heterocyclic organic compound. The invention also relates to a metathesis catalyst such a phosphorus containing Ligand and to a metathesis reaction using the catalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst composition suitable for the trimerization of olefinic monomers, wherein the catalyst composition comprises: a) a source of chromium, molybdenum or tungsten; b) a ligand of general formula (I); (R1)(R2)P—X—P(R3)(R4)??(I) wherein: X is a bivalent organic bridging group; R1 and R3 are independently selected from, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl and substituted heterohydrocarbyl groups, with the proviso that when R1 and R3 are cycloaromatic groups they do not contain a polar substituent at any of the ortho-positions; R2 and R4 are independently selected from optionally substituted cycloaromatic groups, each R2 and R4 bearing a polar substituent on at least one of the ortho-positions; and c) a cocatalyst.

Abstract: A process for the dimerization of at least one olefin with a carbon number between 2 and 10 by contacting the feed with a catalyst system comprising at least: (a) tectometallosilicate zeolite with having TON-type structure, (b) tectometallosilicate zeolite with having MTT-type structure, (c) tectometallosilicate zeolite with the same structure as that of the ZSM-48 zeolite, or (d) silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) zeo-type with AEL-type structure; under dimerization condition to produce highly branched olefins.

Abstract: A process for preparing very high viscosity polyalphaolefins using an acidic ionic liquid oligomerization catalyst in the absence of an organic diluent and the products formed thereby. A method of continuously manufacturing a high viscosity polyalphaolefin product by introducing a monomer and an ionic liquid catalyst together into a reaction zone while simultaneously withdrawing from the reaction zone a reaction zone effluent that contains the high viscosity polyalphaolefin. The reaction zone is operated under reaction conditions suitable for producing the high viscosity polyalphaolefin product. The preferred high viscosity polyalphaolefin has a kinematic viscosity exceeding 8 cSt and is the reaction product of the trimerization, oligomerization, or polymerization of an alpha olefin or a mixture of one or more product thereof. The high viscosity polyalphaolefins are useful as lubricants or lubricant additives.

Abstract: A composition defined: either as comprising at least one Broensted acid, designated HB, dissolved in a liquid medium with an ionic nature of general formula Q+A?, in which Q+ represents an organic cation and A? represents an anion that is different from B, or as resulting from dissolving at least one Broensted acid, designated HB, in a non-aqueous liquid medium with an ionic nature of general formula Q+A?, in which Q+ represents an organic cation and A? represents an anion that is identical to the anion B, can be used as a catalyst and solvent in acid catalysis processes, in particular in the alkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons, the oligomerization of olefins, the dimerization of isobutene, the alkylation of olefins by isoparaffins, the isomerization of n-paraffins into isoparaffins, the isomerization of n-olefins into iso-olefins, the isomerization of the double bond of an olefin and the purification of an olefin mixture that contains branched alpha olefins as impurities.

Abstract: A process is described for the valorization of a charge of hydrocarbons and for reducing the vapour pressure of said charge, comprising three steps: a step a) consisting of separating said charge of hydrocarbons into a fraction (O1) comprising essentially compounds containing 5 carbon atoms, including at least 2% by weight of pentenes, a step b) consisting of placing said fraction (O1) in contact with a cut of hydrocarbons (O2) at least partly comprising hydrocarbons having a number of carbon atoms between 6 and 10, including at least 2% by weight of olefins, and a step c) consisting of separating the effluents originating from step b) into a gasoline cut (?) the upper distillation point of which is less than 100° C. and a kerosene cut (?) having a distillation range between 100° C. and 300° C.

Abstract: An upflow reactor for the production of bisphenol A from acetone and phenol includes a vessel, a catalyst bed disposed within the vessel, and a reactant distribution/product collection system disposed within the vessel. The reactant distribution/product collection system includes a perforated distributor disposed at a lower end of the reactor. The reactant distribution/product collection system further includes a perforated collector disposed at an upper end of the reactor. A method for producing bisphenol A from acetone and phenol Includes Introducing the reacting mixture containing acetone and phenol to the distributor, directing it upward through the catalyst bed, and recovering the reacted acetone and phenol as bisphenol A together with other isomers and non reacted species. A method for avoiding catalyst bead carryover from the bed in an upflow reactor Includes receiving a product of the upflow reactor into the collector disposed at an upper end of the reactor through a screen with proper slit size.

Abstract: Ruthenium and osmium carbene compounds that are stable in the presence of a variety of functional groups and can be used to catalyze olefin metathesis reactions on unstrained cyclic and acyclic olefins are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making the carbene compounds. The carbene compounds are of the formula where M is Os or Ru; R1 is hydrogen; R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, and substituted or unsubstituted aryl; X and X1 are independently selected from any anionic ligand; and L and L1 are independently selected from any neutral electron donor. The ruthenium and osmium carbene compounds of the present invention may be synthesized using diazo compounds, by neutral electron donor ligand exchange, by cross metathesis, using acetylene, using cumulated olefins, and in a one-pot method using diazo compounds and neutral electron donors.