| abstract |
A process for producing an olefin through a metathesis reaction. In the process, an olefin is introduced in the presence of hydrogen gas in a catalyst layer containing not only a catalyst containing at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of tungsten, molybdenum, rhenium, niobium, tantalum and vanadium but also a cocatalyst containing a basic compound containing at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of periodic table Group Ia (alkali metals), Group IIa (alkaline earth metals) and Group IIb and Group IIIa elements to thereby obtain an olefin with a structure different from that of the introduced olefin. The process is characterized in that the superficial gas velocity through the catalyst layer is set so as to fall within the range of 0.01 to 2.0 m/s. In this process, paraffin formation by side reactions can be inhibited while maintaining an extensively enhanced metathesis catalytic activity by the presence of hydrogen gas. |