Synthesis of siloxy-modified second generation Hoveyda-Grubbs catalysts and their catalytic activity

Efficient syntheses of the first ruthenium alkylidene complexes bearing siloxide ligands are described. Second generation Hoveyda-Grubbs catalyst is shown to undergo efficient functionalization with a number of potassium silanolates to give disiloxy derivatives. The complexes obtained are found catalytically active in selected metathesis transformations.