Thermal Decomposition Modes for Four‐Coordinate Ruthenium Phosphonium Alkylidene Olefin Metathesis Catalysts

The four‐coordinate ruthenium phosphonium alkylidenes 1‐Cy and 1‐iPr , differing in the substituent on the phosphorus center, were observed to decompose thermally in the presence of 1,1‐dichloroethylene to produce [H₃CPR₃][Cl]. The major ruthenium‐containing product was a trichloro‐bridged ruthenium dimer that incorporates the elements of the 1,1‐dichloroethylene as a dichlorocarbene ligand and a styrenic vinyl group on the supporting NHC ligand. Spectroscopic, kinetic, and deuterium‐labeling experiments probed the mechanism of this process, which involves a rate‐limiting C–H activation of an NHC mesityl ortho methyl group. These studies provide insight into intrinsic decomposition processes of active Grubbs type olefin metathesis catalysts, pointing the way to new catalyst design directions.     

Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalysts Featuring N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Tagged with Isonicotinic and 4-(Dimethylamino)benzoic Acid Rests: Evaluation of a Modular Synthetic Strategy

A modular and flexible strategy towards the synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands bearing Brønsted base tags has been proposed and then adopted in the preparation of two tagged NHC ligands bearing rests of isonicotinic and 4-(dimethylamino)benzoic acids. Such tagged NHC ligands represent an attractive starting point for the synthesis of olefin metathesis ruthenium catalysts tagged in non-dissociating ligands. The influence of the Brønsted basic tags on the activity of such obtained olefin metathesis catalysts has been studied.     

Tandem Catalysis Utilizing Olefin Metathesis Reactions

Since olefin metathesis transformation has become a favored synthetic tool in organic synthesis, more and more distinct non‐metathetical reactions of alkylidene ruthenium complexes have been developed. Depending on the conditions applied, the same olefin metathesis catalysts can efficiently promote isomerization reactions, hydrogenation of C=C double bonds, oxidation reactions, and many others. Importantly, these transformations can be carried out in tandem with olefin metathesis reactions. Through addition of one portion of a catalyst, a tandem process provides structurally advanced products from relatively simple substrates without the need for isolation of the intermediates. These aspects not only make tandem catalysis very attractive from a practical point of view, but also open new avenues in (retro)synthetic planning. However, in the literature, the term “tandem process” is sometimes used improperly to describe other types of multi‐reaction sequences. In this Concept, a number of examples of tandem catalysis involving olefin metathesis are discussed with an emphasis on their synthetic value.     

Chelating Ruthenium Phenolate Complexes: Synthesis,General Catalytic Activity,and Applications in Olefin Metathesis Polymerization

Cyclic Ru‐phenolates were synthesized, and these compounds were used as olefin metathesis catalysts. Investigation of their catalytic activity pointed out that, after activation with chemical agents, these catalysts promote ring‐closing metathesis (RCM), enyne and cross‐metathesis (CM) reactions, including butenolysis, with good results. Importantly, these latent catalysts are soluble in neat dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) and show good applicability in ring‐opening metathesis polymeriyation (ROMP) of this monomer.     

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.     

A Thermo‐ and Photo‐Switchable Ruthenium Initiator For Olefin Metathesis

A ruthenium carbene complex bearing azobenzene functionality is reported. The complex exists in the form of two isomers differing by the size of the chelate ring. Both isomers were isolated by applying kinetic or thermodynamic control during the synthesis and characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The isomerization of the complex was studied by UV/Vis spectroscopy. The stable isomer was tested as a catalyst in olefin metathesis. The complex was activated at about 100 °C to promote ring‐closing and ring‐opening polymerization metathesis reactions. The activation took place also at room temperature under middle ultraviolet radiation.     

Redox‐Switchable Ring‐Closing Metathesis: Catalyst Design,Synthesis, and Study

High yielding syntheses of 1‐(ferrocenylmethyl)‐3‐mesitylimidazolium iodide ( 1 ) and 1‐(ferrocenylmethyl)‐3‐mesitylimidazol‐2‐ylidene ( 2 ) were developed. Complexation of 2 to [{Ir(cod)Cl}₂] (cod=cis,cis‐1,5‐cyclooctadiene) or [Ru(PCy₃)Cl₂(?CH‐o‐O‐iPrC₆H₄)] (Cy=cyclohexyl) afforded 3 ([Ir( 2 )(cod)Cl]) and 5 ([Ru( 2 )Cl₂(?CH‐o‐O‐iPrC₆H₄)]), respectively. Complex 4 ([Ir( 2 )(CO)₂Cl]) was obtained by bubbling carbon monoxide through a solution of 3 in CH₂Cl₂. Spectroelectrochemical IR analysis of 4 revealed that the oxidation of the ferrocene moiety in 2 significantly reduced the electron‐donating ability of the N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand (ΔTEP=9 cm^?1; TEP=Tolman electronic parameter). The oxidation of 5 with [Fe(η⁵‐C₅H₄COMe)Cp][BF₄] as well as the subsequent reduction of the corresponding product [ 5 ][BF₄] with decamethylferrocene (Fc*) each proceeded in greater than 95 % yield. Mössbauer, UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopy analysis confirmed that [ 5 ][BF₄] contained a ferrocenium species, indicating that the iron center was selectively oxidized over the ruthenium center. Complexes 5 and [ 5 ][BF₄] were found to catalyze the ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) of diethyl diallylmalonate with observed pseudo‐first‐order rate constants (k_obs) of 3.1×10^?4 and 1.2×10^?5 s^?1, respectively. By adding suitable oxidants or reductants over the course of a RCM reaction, complex 5 was switched between different states of catalytic activity. A second‐generation N‐heterocyclic carbene that featured a 1′,2′,3′,4′,5′‐ pentamethylferrocenyl moiety ( 10 ) was also prepared and metal complexes containing this ligand were found to undergo iron‐centered oxidations at lower potentials than analogous complexes supported by 2 (0.30–0.36 V vs. 0.56–0.62 V, respectively). Redox switching experiments using [Ru( 10 )Cl₂(?CH‐o‐O‐iPrC₆H₄)] revealed that greater than 94 % of the initial catalytic activity was restored after an oxidation–reduction cycle.     

锌卟啉修饰的双核钌卡宾烯烃复分解催化剂的合成及催化性能检测

为了得到稳定性更好、活性更高的烯烃复分解催化剂,本文采用有机合成的方法,以钌卡宾烯烃复分解催化剂为主体,用锌卟啉进行修饰,得到锌卟啉修饰的Grubbs-Hoveyda型双核钌卡宾烯烃复分解反应催化剂,产物结构使用核磁共振方法进行表征。 用0.1%化学计量催化剂催化几种代表性底物闭环复分解(RCM)反应产率能达到95%,对于特定的交叉烯烃复分解反应(CM),延长反应时间也能得到93%的较高产率。 研究结果为Grubbs-Hoveyda催化剂的修饰提供了新方法和理论依据。     

Tandem Ring‐Opening–Ring‐Closing Metathesis for Functional Metathesis Catalysts

Use of a tandem ring‐opening–ring‐closing metathesis (RORCM) strategy for the synthesis of functional metathesis catalysts is reported. Ring opening of 7‐substituted norbornenes and subsequent ring‐closing metathesis forming a thermodynamically stable 6‐membered ring lead to a very efficient synthesis of new catalysts from commercially available Grubbs’ catalysts. Hydroxy functionalized Grubbs’ first‐ as well as third‐generation catalysts have been synthesized. Mechanistic studies have been performed to elucidate the order of attack of the olefinic bonds. This strategy was also used to synthesize the ruthenium methylidene complex.     

Macrocyclic Olefin Metathesis at High Concentrations by Using a Phase‐Separation Strategy

Macrocyclic olefin metathesis has seen advances in the areas of stereochemistry, chemoselectivity, and catalyst stability, but strategies aimed at controlling dilution effects in macrocyclizations are rare. Herein, a protocol to promote macrocyclic olefin metathesis, one of the most common synthetic tools used to prepare macrocycles, at relatively high concentrations (up to 60 mM ) is described by exploitation of a phase‐separation strategy. A variety of macrocyclic skeletons could be prepared having either different alkyl, aryl, or amino acids spacers.     

Bis(Cyclic Alkyl Amino Carbene) Ruthenium Complexes: A Versatile,Highly Efficient Tool for Olefin Metathesis

The state‐of‐the‐art in olefin metathesis is application of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐containing ruthenium alkylidenes for the formation of internal C=C bonds and of cyclic alkyl amino carbene (CAAC)‐containing ruthenium benzylidenes in the production of terminal olefins. A straightforward synthesis of bis(CAAC)Ru indenylidene complexes, which are highly effective in the formation of both terminal and internal C=C bonds at loadings as low as 1 ppm, is now reported.     

Acid-Assisted Direct Olefin Metathesis of Unprotected Carbohydrates in Water

The ability to use unprotected carbohydrates in olefin metathesis reactions in aqueous media is demonstrated. By using water-soluble, amine-functionalized Hoveyda–Grubbs catalysts under mildly acidic aqueous conditions, the self-metathesis of unprotected alkene-functionalized α-d -manno- and α-d -galactopyranosides could be achieved through minimization of nonproductive chelation and isomerization. Cross-metathesis with allyl alcohol could also be achieved with reasonable selectivity. The presence of small quantities (2.5 vol %) of acetic acid increased the formation of the self-metathesis product while significantly reducing the alkene isomerization process. The catalytic activity was furthermore retained in the presence of large amounts (0.01 mm ) of protein, underlining the potential of this carbon–carbon bond-forming reaction under biological conditions. These results demonstrate the potential of directly using unprotected carbohydrate structures in olefin metathesis reactions under mild conditions compatible with biological systems, and thereby enabling their use in, for example, drug discovery and protein derivatization.