Rate acceleration in olefin metathesis through a fluorine-ruthenium interaction

The synthesis, structure, and performance of new ruthenium-based olefin metathesis catalysts, featuring fluorinated NHC ligands are presented. The introduction of halogen atoms into the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand profoundly alters the catalytic activity and can afford a more efficient catalyst. Structural investigations suggest that a fluorine-ruthenium interaction is responsible for this increased activity.