Homobimetallic ruthenium-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes for olefin metathesis

In this chapter, the synthesis and catalytic activity towards olefin metathesis of homobimetallic ruthenium (Ru)-alkylidene, -cyclodiene or -arene complexes bearing phosphine or N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the last category of bimetallic compds. Three representatives of this new type of mol. scaffold were investigated. Thus, [(p-cymene)Ru(m-Cl)3RuCl (h2-C2H4)(L)] complexes with L = PCy3 (15a), IMes (16a), or IMesCl2 (16b) were prepd. They served as catalyst precursors for cross-metathesis (CM) of various styrene derivs. These expts. revealed the outstanding aptitude of complex 16a (and to a lesser extent of 16b) to catalyze olefin metathesis reactions. Contrary to monometallic Ru-arene complexes of the [RuCl2(p-cymene)(L)] type, the new homobimetallic species did not require the addn. of a diazo compd. nor visible light illumination to initiate the ring-opening metathesis of norbornene or cyclo-octene. When di-Et 2,2-diallylmalonate and N,N-diallyltosylamide were exposed to 16a,b, a mixt. of cycloisomerization and ring-closing metathesis (RCM) products was obtained in a nonselective way. Addn. of phenylacetylene enhanced the metathetical activity while completely repressing the cycloisomerization process.