Cross-metathesis, carbene synthesis

Initial reports of cross-metathesis reactions using well-defined catalysts were limited to simple isolated examples the metathesis of ethyl or methyl oleate with dec-5-ene catalysed by tungsten alkylidenes [13,14] and the cross-metathesis of unsaturated ethers catalysed by a chromium carbene complex [15]. With the discovery of the well-defined molybdenum and ruthenium alkylidene catalysts 3 and 4,by Schrock [16] and Grubbs [17],respectively, the development of alkene metathesis as a tool for organic synthesis began in earnest. 

With the discovery by Grubbs of ruthenium carbene complexes such as Cl2(PCy3)2Ru=CHR, which mediate olefin metathesis under mild reaction conditions and which are compatible with a broad range of functional groups [111], the application of olefin metathesis to solid-phase synthesis became a realistic approach for the preparation of alkenes. Both ring-closing metathesis and cross-metathesis of alkenes and alkynes bound to insoluble supports have been realized (Figure 5.12). 

Ring closing and cross metathesis allow the rapid synthesis of simple cyclic and acyclic systems. The metathesis activity that is now possible using well-defined catalysts allows for the rapid generation of complexity from simple starting materials by relay processes and combinations of metathesis steps. Many of these reactions have been recognized only recently, are now beginning to be used in complex synthetic transformations. A few of these types of reactions will be outlined here to demonstrate the power of these multistep, relay processes. In these processes, an initial metathesis step leads to a new carbene that results in further transformations of the substrate. 

Summary Two catalytic reactions, i.e. silylative coupling (mms-silylation) (SC) catalyzed by complexes containing or generating Ru-H and/or Ru-Si bonds (I, II, V, VI) and cross-metathesis (CM) catalyzed by mthenium-carbene (i.e. 1st and 2nd generation mthenium Grubbs catalyst (ID, IV)) of vinyl and allyl-substituted hetero(N,S,B)organic compounds with conunercially available vinyltrisubstituted silanes, siloxanes, and silsesquioxane have been overviewed. They provide a universal route toward the synthesis of well-defined molecular compounds with vinylsilicon functionality. 

In the last 15 years we have developed two new catalytic reactions between the same parent substances, i.e. silylative coupling (SC) (also called tmns-silylation or silyl groiq> transfer) and cross-metathesis (CM) of alkenes, which have provided an universal route for the synthesis of well-defined molecular compounds with vinylsilicon functionality. While the cross-metathesis is catalyzed by well-defined Ru and Mo carbenes, the silylative coupling is catalyzed by complexes initialing or generating M-H or M-Si bonds (where M = Ru, Rh, Ir). For recent reviews see Refs. [4-6],... 

Gillingham DG, Hoveyda AH (2007) Chiral N-Heterocyclic Carbenes in Natural Product Synthesis Application of Ru-Catalyzed Asymmetric Ring-Opening/Cross-Metathesis and Cu-Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation to Total Synthesis of Baconipyrone C. Angew Chem Int Ed 46 3860... 

Very recent reports on the activity of well-defined and functional group tolerant molybdenum and ruthenium-carbenes in the cross-metathesis of particularly alkoxy-and siloxy-substituted vinylsilicon compounds with a variety of olefins, indicate that this process is a very prospective route for synthesis of silicon-containing organic reagents under mild conditions. 

A structural variant of these carbene complexes was showcased in a double asymmetric allylation reaction to give 108 (98% ee, Scheme 14.18) [100]. This synthesis also featured an enantioselective ring-opening/cross-metathesis [98, 101] (110- 111) en route to the siphonariid metabolite baconipyrone C (112) [100]. 

Numerous articles have appeared in the literature regarding carbene complexes in the context of olefin metathesis reactions. Thus, there are reports on the synthesis of a variety of new metathesis catalysts " (including surface-sup-ported complexes and a water-soluble species ), several articles the use of carbene complexes in ring-closing, ring-opening, and olefin crossmetathesis,and a report on the use of Grubbs catalyst in a crossed alkyne cyclotrimerisation reaction. ... 

---