ESIMS Studies and Calculations on Alkali‐Metal Adduct Ions of Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalysts and Their Catalytic Activity in Metathesis Reactions

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESIMS) and subsequent tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analyses were used to study some important metathesis reactions with the first‐generation ruthenium catalyst 1 , focusing on the ruthenium complex intermediates in the catalytic cycle. In situ cationization with alkali cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and Cs⁺) using a microreactor coupled directly to the ESI ion source allowed mass spectrometric detection and characterization of the ruthenium species present in solution and particularly the catalytically active monophosphine–ruthenium intermediates present in equilibrium with the respective bisphosphine–ruthenium species in solution. Moreover, the intrinsic catalytic activity of the cationized monophosphine–ruthenium complex 1 a ?K⁺ was directly demonstrated by gas‐phase reactions with 1‐butene or ethene to give the propylidene Ru species 3 a ?K⁺ and the methylidene Ru species 4 a ?K⁺, respectively. Ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) reactions of 1,6‐heptadiene ( 5 ), 1,7‐octadiene ( 6 ) and 1,8‐nonadiene ( 7 ) were studied in the presence of KCl and the ruthenium alkylidene intermediates 8 , 9 , and 10 , respectively, were detected as cationized monophosphine and bisphosphine ruthenium complexes. Acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization of 1,9‐decadiene ( 14 ) and ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclooctene ( 18 ) were studied analogously, and the expected ruthenium alkylidene intermediates were directly intercepted from reaction solution and characterized unambiguously by their isotopic patterns and ESIMS/MS. ADMET polymerization was not observed for 1,5‐hexadiene ( 22 ), but the formation of the intramolecularly stabilized monophosphine ruthenium complex 23 a was seen. The ratio of the signal intensities of the respective with potassium cationized monophosphine and bisphosphine alkylidene Ru species varied from [I _4a ]/[I ₄ ]=0.02 to [I _23a ]/[I ₂₃ ]=10.2 and proved to be a sensitive and quantitative probe for intramolecular π‐complex formation of the monophosphine–ruthenium species and of double bonds in the alkylidene chain. MS/MS spectra revealed the intrinsic metathesis catalytic activity of the potassium adduct ions of the ruthenium alkylidene intermediates 8 a , 9 a , 10 a , 15 a , and 19 a , but not 23 a by elimination of the respective cycloalkene in the second step of RCM. Computations were performed to provide information about the structures of the alkali metal adduct ions of catalyst 1 and the influence of the alkali metal ions on the energy profile in the catalytic cycle of the metathesis reaction.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Ruthenium 2‐Alkyl‐6‐mercaptophenolate Catalysts for Olefin Metathesis

A series of ruthenium carbene catalysts containing 2‐sulfidophenolate bidentate ligand with an ortho‐substituent next to the oxygen atom were synthesized. The molecular structure of ruthenium carbene complex containing 2‐isopropyl‐6‐sulfidophenolate ligand was confirmed through single crystal X‐ray diffraction. An oxygen atom can be found in the opposite position of the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) based on the steric hindrance and strong trans‐effects of the NHC ligand. The ruthenium carbene catalyst can catalyze ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reaction of norbornene with high activity and Z‐selectivity and cross metathesis (CM) reactions of terminal alkenes with (Z)‐but‐2‐ene‐1,4‐diol to give Z‐olefin products (Z/E ratios, 70:30–89:11) in low yields (13%–38%). When AlCl₃ was added into the CM reactions, yields (51%–88%) were considerably improved and process becomes highly selective for E‐olefin products (E/Z ratios, 79:21–96:4). Similar to other ruthenium carbene catalysts, these new complexes can tolerate different functional groups.     

Ruthenium dihydride complexes as enyne metathesis catalysts

Ruthenium–catalyzed enyne metathesis is a reliable and efficient method for the formation of 1,3-dienes, a common structural motif in synthetic organic chemistry. The development of new transition-metal complexes competent to catalyze enyne metathesis reactions remains an important research area. This report describes the use of ruthenium (IV) dihydride complexes with the general structure RuH₂Cl₂(PR₃)₂ as new catalysts for enyne metathesis. These ruthenium (IV) dihydrides have been largely unexplored as catalysts in metathesis-based transformations. The reactivity of these complexes with 1,6 and 1,7-enynes was investigated. The observed reaction products are consistent with the metathesis activity occurring through a ruthenium vinylidene intermediate.     

Synthesis,characterization, and antitumor activity of mononuclear and dinuclear ruthenium complexes

Abstract

Dinuclear ruthenium complexes [Ru₂(bpy)₄BL](ClO₄)₂ (Ru-1), where bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine and BL = 2,2′-((1E,1′E)-((E)-diazene-1,2-diyl-bis(2,1-phenylene))-bis(azanylylidene))bis(methanylylidene))diphenol (a bidentate bridging ligand), and mononuclear ruthenium complexes [Ru(bpy)₂L](ClO₄) (Ru-2), where L = (E)-2-((phenylimino)methyl)phenol, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Their photophysical and electrochemical properties were also studied. The cytotoxicity of the two complexes in vitro was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The results indicated that Ru-1 and Ru-2 exhibited significant dose-dependent cytotoxicity to human breast cancer (MCF-7), gastric cancer (SGC-7901), cervical cancer (Hela), and lung cancer (A549) tumor cell lines. Ru-1 showed excellent antitumor effects in a cellular study (IC₅₀ values of 3.61 μM for MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in vitro). However, Ru-2 exhibited the highest cytotoxicity to Hela cells; the IC₅₀ value is 3.71 μM. The results reveal that Ru-1 and Ru-2 have obvious selectivity and might be a potential anticancer agent that could improve the efficacy of common anticancer therapies.     

Unprecedented Selectivity of Ruthenium Iodide Benzylidenes in Olefin Metathesis Reactions

The development of selective olefin metathesis catalysts is crucial to achieving new synthetic pathways. Herein, we show that cis‐diiodo/sulfur‐chelated ruthenium benzylidenes do not react with strained cycloalkenes and internal olefins, but can effectively catalyze metathesis reactions of terminal dienes. Surprisingly, internal olefins may partake in olefin metathesis reactions once the ruthenium methylidene intermediate has been generated. This unexpected behavior allows the facile formation of strained cis‐cyclooctene by the RCM reaction of 1,9‐undecadiene. Moreover, cis‐1,4‐polybutadiene may be transformed into small cyclic molecules, including its smallest precursor, 1,5‐cyclooctadiene, by the use of this novel sequence. Norbornenes, including the reactive dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), remain unscathed even in the presence of terminal olefin substrates as they are too bulky to approach the diiodo ruthenium methylidene. The experimental results are accompanied by thorough DFT calculations.     

Enolesters as chain end-functionalizing agents for the living ring opening metathesis polymerization

Functional enolethers have previously been used to introduce functional end groups at the chain end of ruthenium carbene complex initiated living ring opening metathesis polymers. Here, we investigated whether the weaker π-donating enolesters could equally be used in regio selective reactions with ruthenium carbene complexes and thus as polymer end-functionalization reagents. Enolesters such as vinyl acetate, butenyl acetate, 3-(4-(tert-butoxy)phenyl)propenyl acetate and 6-(((benzyloxy)carbonyl)amino)hex-1-en-1-yl acetate were used as living ROMP terminating agents. All gave the expected end groups proving that enolesters are synthetically easily accessible targets for living ROMP end-functionalization. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2983–2990     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Metathesis Cascade Reactions in Natural Products Synthesis

In this account, we provide a brief summary of recent developments in ruthenium‐catalyzed metathesis cascade reactions towards the total synthesis of natural products. We also highlight recent progress from our own laboratory regarding the synthesis of securinega alkaloids and humulanolides, which has resulted in the development of novel ruthenium‐catalyzed metathesis cascade reactions. Inspired and guided by the pioneering and elegant research conducted in this area, we developed a regio‐controlled relay dienyne metathesis cascade reaction and a cyclobutene‐promoted RCM/ROM/RCM cascade reaction for the synthesis of securinega alkaloids and humulanolides, respectively.     

Application of a Grubbs–Hoveyda Metathesis Catalyst Noncovalently Immobilized by Fluorous–Fluorous Interactions

A Grubbs–Hoveyda metathesis catalyst bearing a tris(perfluoroalkyl)silyl tag for efficient noncovalent attachment to fluorous silica gel (FSG) was synthesized and employed in ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) reactions in CH₂Cl₂. After the reaction, a solvent switch to a polar system allowed for recovery of the catalyst by filtration and its reuse. The approach was demonstrated for a number of different substrates. Furthermore, it was shown that the application of this catalytic system yielded products with low ruthenium content.     

Ruthenium–Indenylidene Olefin Metathesis Catalyst with Enhanced Thermal Stability

Two new ruthenium complexes bearing a bidentate (κ²O,C)‐isopropoxy–indenylidene ligand and a PPh₃ ( 9 ) or PCy₃ ( 10 , Cy=cyclohexyl) ligand have been synthesized and fully characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. Complex 10 displays a very high thermal stability with a half life of six days at 110 °C in [D₈]toluene. Complex 10 was evaluated in various ring‐closing metathesis reactions and ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of dicyclopentadiene, in which it showed a latent behavior with low activity at room temperature and high activity upon thermal activation.     

[(NHC)(NHCewg)RuCl2(CHPh)] Complexes with Modified NHCewg Ligands for Efficient Ring‐Closing Metathesis Leading to Tetrasubstituted Olefins

Imidazolium salts (NHC_ewg ? HCl) with electronically variable substituents in the 4,5‐position (H,H or Cl,Cl or H,NO₂ or CN,CN) and sterically variable substituents in the 1,3‐position (Me,Me or Et,Et or iPr,iPr or Me,iPr) were synthesized and converted into the respective [AgI(NHC)_ewg] complexes. The reactions of [(NHC)RuCl₂(CHPh)(py)₂] with the [AgI(NHC_ewg)] complexes provide the respective [(NHC)(NHC_ewg)RuCl₂(CHPh)] complexes in excellent yields. The catalytic activity of such complexes in ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) reactions leading to tetrasubstituted olefins was studied. To obtain quantitative substrate conversion, catalyst loadings of 0.2–0.5 mol % at 80 °C in toluene are sufficient. The complex with the best catalytic activity in such RCM reactions and the fastest initiation rate has an NHC_ewg group with 1,3‐Me,iPr and 4,5‐Cl,Cl substituents and can be synthesized in 95 % isolated yield from the ruthenium precursor. To learn which one of the two NHC ligands acts as the leaving group in olefin metathesis reactions two complexes, [(FL‐NHC)(NHC_ewg)RuCl₂(CHPh)] and [(FL‐NHC_ewg)(NHC)RuCl₂(CHPh)], with a dansyl fluorophore (FL)‐tagged electron‐rich NHC ligand (FL‐NHC) and an electron‐deficient NHC ligand (FL‐NHC_ewg) were prepared. The fluorescence of the dansyl fluorophore is quenched as long as it is in close vicinity to ruthenium, but increases strongly upon dissociation of the respective fluorophore‐tagged ligand. In this manner, it was shown for ring‐opening metathesis ploymerization (ROMP) reactions at room temperature that the NHC_ewg ligand normally acts as the leaving group, whereas the other NHC ligand remains ligated to ruthenium.     

Catalyst‐Controlled Stereoselective Olefin Metathesis as a Principal Strategy in Multistep Synthesis Design: A Concise Route to (+)‐Neopeltolide

Molybdenum‐, tungsten‐, and ruthenium‐based complexes that control the stereochemical outcome of olefin metathesis reactions have been recently introduced. However, the complementary nature of these systems through their combined use in multistep complex molecule synthesis has not been illustrated. A concise diastereo‐ and enantioselective route that furnishes the anti‐proliferative natural product neopeltolide is now disclosed. Catalytic transformations are employed to address every stereochemical issue. Among the featured processes are an enantioselective ring‐opening/cross‐metathesis promoted by a Mo monoaryloxide pyrrolide (MAP) complex and a macrocyclic ring‐closing metathesis that affords a trisubstituted alkene and is catalyzed by a Mo bis(aryloxide) species. Furthermore, Z‐selective cross‐metathesis reactions, facilitated by Mo and Ru complexes, have been employed in the stereoselective synthesis of the acyclic dienyl moiety of the target molecule.     

Synthesis and Catalytic Study of Ruthenium Carbene Catalyst Containing a Zn‐Porphyrin Ligand

A ruthenium carbene complex containing a Zn‐porphyrin ligand has been developed. The complex was characterized by ¹H NMR, IR, HRMS and elemental analysis. The catalytic activity of the ruthenium carbene complex for olefin metathesis reactions was also investigated. The complex exhibited excellent performance for both ring‐closing and cross metathesis reactions at 35°C.     

New latent metathesis catalysts equipped with exchangeable boronic ester groups on the NHC

Abstract

Latent metathesis catalysts equipped with boronate esters of diols as exchangeable end-groups on their NHC ligands and an S-chelated ruthenium-benzylidene core were synthesized. The stable S-chelated ruthenium complexes underwent hydrolysis under mild acidic conditions, allowing easy exchange of terminal units by several 1,2- and 1,3-diols, without degrading the central ruthenium benzylidene. Using this strategy, we also prepared metathesis catalysts equipped with diallyl substrates at the termini that showed concentration dependency on RCM reactions. Notably, the larger dendritic catalysts were more efficient at the more dilute condition.     

Testing the 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane linker in olefin metathesis

Compounds 12-15, possessing two styrenes connected by a silicon linker [1,1,3,3 tetramethyl-di-siloxane], were synthesized, characterized and used as model compounds for the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) catalyzed by commercially available ruthenium catalysts 1, 2 and 3. The RCM reactions of 12 and 15 in the presence of catalysts 1 or 2 resulted exclusively in the formation of (E)-stilbenes. The RCM reactions of 13 and 14, compounds possessing alkoxide substituents in the ortho position to styrene functionality, were not observed in the presence of 2, presumably due to the formation of inactive Hoveyda type ruthenium complexes. The RCM of mixture of 12 and 15, with 2, was used for the detailed examination of the mechanism of metathesis reactions investigated in this work. They revealed that both inter- and intramolecular metathesis is possible, in this case, despite the use of siloxane linker.     

Theoretical investigation of different reactivities of Fe(IV)O and Ru(IV)O complexes with the same ligand topology

The structures and mechanisms for hydrogen abstraction from isopropylbenzene for four high-valence complexes, cis-β-[Fe^IV(O)(BQCN)]²⁺ (Fe-2b and Fe-2b-2) and cis-β-[Ru^IV(O)(BQCN)]²⁺ (Ru-2b and Ru-2b-2) (BQCN = N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-bis(8-quinolyl)-cyclohexanediamine), were investigated using density functional theory. Of the two iron complexes, Fe-2b-2 has more exposed FeO units than Fe-2b, with iron being further out of the equatorial plane because of the steric interaction of the same ligand topologies with the iron-oxo group trans to a quinolyl or amine nitrogen. The contribution of BQCN to Fe-2b is higher than the contribution to Fe-2b-2 as shown by the density-of-states spectra. The iron isomers can abstract hydrogen from isopropylbenzene via two-state reactivity patterns, whereas the ruthenium isomers react with isopropylbenzene via a single-state mechanism. In the gas phase, the relative reactivity exhibits the trend Fe-2b > Fe-2b-2, whereas with the addition of the ZPE correction and the SMD model, the relative reactivity follows Fe-2b-2 > Fe-2b. For the ruthenium complexes, the relative reactivity follows the trend Ru-2b-2 > Ru-2b in both the gas phase and solvent. Thus, the same ligand topologies with the metal-oxo group trans to a different nitrogen affect the reactivities of the iron and ruthenium complexes.     

A Dicationic Ruthenium Alkylidene Complex for Continuous Biphasic Metathesis Using Monolith‐Supported Ionic Liquids

A dicationic ruthenium–alkylidene complex [Ru(dmf)₃(IMesH₂)(?CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)‐C₆H₄)][(BF₄)₂] ( 1 ; IMesH₂=1,3‐dimesitylimidazolin‐2‐ylidene) has been prepared and used in continuous metathesis reactions by exploiting supported ionic‐liquid phase (SILP) technology. For these purposes, ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP)‐derived monoliths were prepared from norborn‐2‐ene, tris(norborn‐5‐ene‐2‐ylmethyloxy)methylsilane, and [RuCl₂(PCy₃)₂(CHPh)] (Cy=cyclohexyl) in the presence of 2‐propanol and toluene and surface grafted with norborn‐5‐en‐2‐ylmethyl‐N,N,N‐trimethylammonium tetrafluoroborate ([NBE‐CH₂‐NMe₃][BF₄]). Subsequent immobilization of the ionic liquid (IL), 1‐butyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BDMIM][BF₄]), containing ionic catalyst 1 created the SILP catalyst. The use of a second liquid transport phase, which contained the substrate and was immiscible with the IL, allowed continuous metathesis reactions to be realized. High turnover numbers (TONs) of up to 3700 obtained in organic solvents for the ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) of, for example, N,N‐diallyltrifluoroacetamide, diethyl diallylmalonate, diethyl di(methallyl)malonate, tert‐butyl‐N,N‐diallylcarbamate, N,N‐diallylacetamide, diphenyldiallylsilane, and 1,7‐octadiene, as well as in the self‐metathesis of methyl oleate, could be further increased by using biphasic conditions with [BDMIM][BF₄]/heptane. Under continuous SILP conditions, TONs up to 900 were observed. Due to the ionic character of the initiator, catalyst leaching into the transport phase was very low (<0.1 %). Finally, the IL can, together with decomposed catalyst, be removed from the monolithic support by flushing with methanol. Upon reloading with [BDMIM][BF₄]/ 1 , the recycled support material again qualified for utilization in continuous metathesis reactions.     

Synthesis and Catalytic Activity of a Two-core Ruthenium Carbene Complex: a Unique Catalyst for Ring Closing Metathesis Reaction

The reaction of a ruthenium carbide complex RuCl2(C:)(PCy3)2 with [H(Et2O)x]+[BF4]– at a molar ratio of 1:2 produced a two-core ruthenium carbene complex, {[RuCl(=CHPCy3)(PCy3)]2(μ-Cl)3}+·[BF4]–, in the form of a yellow-green crystalline solid in a yield of 94%. This two-core ruthenium complex is a selective catalyst for ring closing metathesis of unsubstituted terminal dienes. More importantly, no isomerized byproduct was observed for N-substrates when the two-core ruthenium complex was used as the catalyst at an elevated temperature(137 °C), indicating that the complex is a chemo-selective catalyst for ring closing metathesis reactions.     

Latent ruthenium carbene complexes with six-membered N- and S-chelate rings

New ruthenium carbene complexes with chelating N- and S-benzylidene ligands were synthesized by the reactions of second- and third-generation Grubbs catalysts with ortho-vinylbenzyl-substituted amines or sulfides. These complexes were shown to exhibit catalytic activity in ring-opening metathesis polymerization and ring-closing metathesis.     

A new stable Hoveyda-Grubbs catalyst with mixed anionic ligands

The synthesis and characterisation of a new highly active Hoveyda-Grubbs 2nd generation type catalyst is described. Substitution of one chloride ligand with a partially fluorinated trialkoxysilyl substituted carboxylate leads to the stable monocarboxylate ruthenium catalyst (3). This catalyst represents the first example of a stable and isolable mono-chloride exchanged carboxylate complex suitable for both homogeneous and heterogeneous metathesis. The reactivity of the new catalyst was tested in representative metathesis reactions and offers an activity comparable to the parent dichloride system (1).     

Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of cis‐cyanocyclooct‐4‐ene: Search for active catalysts,variation of monomer to catalyst ratios and monomer concentrations

The ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cis‐cyanocyclooct‐4‐ene initiated by ruthenium‐based catalysts of the first, second, and third generation was studied. For the polymerization with the second generation Grubbs catalyst [RuCl₂(?CHPh)(H₂IMes)(PCy₃)] (H₂IMes = N,N′‐bis(mesityl)‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐2‐ylidene), the critical monomer concentration at which polymerization occurs was determined, and variation of monomer to catalyst ratios was performed. For this catalyst, ROMP of cis‐cyanocyclooct‐4‐ene did not show the features of a living polymerization as M_n did not linearly increase with increasing monomer conversion. As a consequence of slow initiation rates and intramolecular polymer degradation, molar masses passed through a maximum during the course of the polymerization. With third generation ruthenium catalysts (which contain 3‐bromo or 2‐methylpyridine ligands), polymerization proceeded rapidly, and degradation reactions could not be observed. Contrary to ruthenium‐based catalysts of the second and third generation, a catalyst of the first generation was not able to polymerize cis‐cyanocyclooct‐4‐ene. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011