Protonolysis of a Ruthenium–Carbene Bond and Applications in Olefin Metathesis

• DOI: 10.1021/ja203070r
• Publication Date: 2011-05-16T19:09:53Z
• Authors: Benjamin K. Keitz; Jean Bouffard; Guy Bertrand; Robert H. Grubbs
• Keywords: Protonolysis; Mesoionic; Olefin Metathesis; Acyclic diene metathesis; Salt metathesis reaction

The synthesis of a ruthenium complex containing an N-heterocylic carbene (NHC) and mesoionic (MIC) is described wherein addition Brønsted acid results in protonolysis the Ru–MIC bond to generate extremely active metathesis catalyst. Mechanistic studies implicated rate-determining protonation step generation metathesis-active species. activity NHC/MIC catalyst was found exceed those current commercial catalysts.