A pyridine-containing ruthenium–indenylidene complex: Synthesis and activity in ring-closing metathesis

The reaction of Cl2Ru(PCy3)2(3-phenylindenylidene) with excess pyridine leads to the new pyridine-containing ruthenium-based complex: Cl2Ru(PCy3)(Py)2(3-phenylindenylidene) in good yield. This catalyst has been fully characterized and tested in ring-closing metathesis. Its moderate activity has been examined by kinetic studies using several substrates and different reaction conditions.

Graphical abstractPhosphine displacement in Cl2Ru(PCy3)2(3-phenylindenylidene) by two pyridines leads to Cl2Ru(PCy3)(Py)2(3-phenylindenylidene) in good yield. After full characterization, the activity of this novel ruthenium–ruthenium based complex has been investigated for ring-closing metathesis. Kinetic studies have shown a moderate reactivity due to a rapid degradation of active species in spite of the robustness of the Ru–indenylidene moiety.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide