New tunable catalysts for olefin metathesis: Controlling the initiation through electronic factors

Synthesis and screening of catalytic activity of two novel ruthenium carbene complexes 9 and 10 bearing substituents in 2-isopropoxybenzylidene ligand is described. These precatalysts constitute excellent tools for RCM and enyne metathesis by combining high stability with a possibility of their on-demand activation by heat and Brønsted (9) or Lewis acids (10).

Graphical abstractSynthesis and screening of catalytic activity of two novel ruthenium carbene complexes bearing substituents in 2-isopropoxybenzylidene ligand is described. These catalysts constitute excellent tools for RCM and enyne metathesis by combining high stability with a possibility of their on-demand activation by heat and Brønsted or Lewis acids. Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide