A ruthenium complex bearing an "anti-Bredt" N-heterocyclic carbene was synthesized, characterized and evaluated as a catalyst for olefin metathesis. Good conversions were observed at room temperature for the formation of di- and tri-substituted olefins by ring-closing metathesis. It also allowed for the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclooctadiene, as well as for the cross-metathesis of cis-1,4-diacetoxy-2-butene with allyl-benzene, with enhanced Z/E kinetic selectivity over classical NHC-based catalysts.
Keywords: olefin metathesis; ruthenium; stable carbenes.