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. Olefin metathesis catalysis: Investigation of the catalytic activity of Ru phenolate catalysts 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 (see scheme, Mes=2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, Cy=cyclohexyl). The phenolanate catalysts, well soluble in dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), also show good applicability in ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of this monomer.