Production of fatty olefin derivatives via olefin metathesis

A method for synthesizing a compound according to Formula VIb:

• the method comprising:
• acylating an alkenol according to Formula VIII
• to form an acylated alkenol according to Formula IX
• and
• contacting the acylated alkenol with an olefin according to Formula I
• in the presence of a metathesis catalyst having a structure according to Formula 2a
• thereby forming the compound of Formula VIb;
• wherein:
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of H, C1-18 alkyl, and C2-18 alkenyl;
• R2c is C1-6 acyl,
• subscript y is an integer ranging from 0 to 17;
• subscript z is an integer ranging from 0 to 17;
• M is Mo or W;
• R3a is aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, or cycloalkyl, each of which is optionally substituted;
• R7a is pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, pyrazolyl, azaindolyl, or indazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted;
• R8a is optionally substituted aryl;
• R5a is a hydrogen atom, alkyl, or alkoxy;
• R4b is a hydrogen atom, —O—(C1-6 alkyl), —CH2—O—(C1-6 alkyl), heteroalkoxy, or —N(C1-6 alkyl)2;
• and
• R4c and R4d are independently a hydrogen atom, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, a halogen atom, —NO2, an amide, or a sulfonamide.