This invention relates to a metathesis catalyst compound comprising an asymmetrically substituted N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) metathesis catalyst and a process to make linear alpha-olefms comprising contacting a feed material and an optional alkene (such as ethylene) with said catalyst, where the feed material is a triacylglyceride, fatty acid, fatty acid alkyl ester, and/or fatty acid ester, typically derived from biodiesel.