An 8% WO3/SiO2 catalyst was used in the metathesis reaction of 1-octene and an industrial cut, 1-heptene. The industrial 1-heptene feed stream consists of 75% 1-heptene, 10% n-alkane and the balance are branched hydrocarbons. The reaction conditions for the metathesis reaction were optimized using a reactor, equipped with a recycle loop. Temperature, liquid hour space velocity (LHSV) and recycle ratio were used to optimize the reaction conditions. It was found that 460 degreesC, LHSV 16h(-1) and feed to recycle ratio of 1:5.6 gives a conversion of about 88%, C-10-C-13 selectivity of 60%, C-12 selectivity of 41 % and an online lifetime of about 700 h when using the 1-heptene feed stream. The lifetime of the catalyst increased to 1200 h after regeneration in a flow of air at 550 degreesC. The conversion drops slightly, but the selectivity to the primary metathesis product increases to 46%. Both the spent catalyst and the regenerated catalyst have about 46% coke formation after deactivation. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.