Unsymmetrical Ru-NHC catalysts: a key for the selective tandem ring opening-ring closing alkene metathesis (RO-RCM) of cyclooctene

Dissymmetry for selectivity: NHC ligand with two different pendant group allows the selective formation of cyclic oligomers in place of polymers opening new strategy to generate macrocycles.     

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of a chiral nitrone to (E)-1,4-dichloro-2-butene: a new efficient synthesis of (2S,3S,4R)-4-hydroxyisoleucine

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of a chiral nitrone derived from (?)-menthone to (E)-1,4-dichlorobut-2-ene was the key step in a novel 5 step synthesis of (2S,3S,4R)-4-hydroxyisoleucine, obtained in 21% overall yield with high enantiopurity.