The cross-metathesis of 1-butene and 2-butene is described for the production of propene and 2-pentene usign Phobcat, a homogeneous Grubbs first generation-type catalyst bearing 9-cyclohexyl-9-phosphabicyclo-[3.3.1]-nonane as ligand. In a closed system at 20 bar and 50 degrees C, the reaction mixture compostion at different 1-butene:2-butene feed ratios is in fair agreement with the calculated composition at equilibrium based on thermodynamic data. Compared to heterogeneous metathesis over a WO3/SiO2 catalyst, the homogenous reaction exihibits better reaction control and selectivity to the desired products. (c) 2008 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.