Chelating ruthenium phenolate complexes: synthesis, general catalytic activity, and applications in olefin metathesis polymerization

Abstract

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.

Keywords: NHC ligands; carbenes; catalysis; olefin metathesis; ruthenium.