Process for the preparation of optically active cycloolefins

A process for the preparation of an optically active cycloolefin, comprising contacting an optically active diene of formula I ##STR5## wherein the sum of x and z is 2 or greater and R is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted with nitrogen or oxygen containing functional groups;

• x and z are independently 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4;
• y is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5;
• and wherein the sum of x, y and z is less than or equal to 5;
• with a catalyst composition comprising one of Mo(V) Mo(VI) or W(VI) bearing covalently bound ligands selected from O, OR.sup.1, NR.sup.2, Cl, Br, CR.sup.3 R.sup.4, and R.sup.5, wherein at least two of the groups bound to Mo or W are OR.sup.1,
• wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted with F, Cl, Br or I;
• R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently H or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbyl group;
• and
• R.sup.5 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbyl group;
• wherein said catalyst composition optionally comprises a cocatalyst selected from SnR.sup.6 R.sup.7 R.sup.8 R.sup.9, PbR.sup.6 R.sup.7 R.sup.8 R.sup.9, AlR.sup.6 R.sup.7 R.sup.8, MgR.sup.6 R.sup.7 and ZnR.sup.6 R.sup.7 ;
• wherein R.sup.6 -R.sup.9 are independently H, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbyl group, Cl, Br or I;
• to yield an optically active cycloolefin of formula ##STR6##