History of Olefin Metathesis

Olefin metathesis began as an industrial process involving ill-defined heterogeneous catalysts comprising high oxidation state metal salts and various activating metal oxides [3]. Due to low concentrations of the active species, no spectroscopic evidence could be obtained and little mechanistic data was avail- 

His proposal involved a metal carbene and a metallocyclobutane intermediate and was the first proposed mechanism consistent with all experimental observations to date. Later, Grubbs and coworkers performed spectroscopic studies on reaction intermediates and confirmed the presence of the proposed metal carbene. These results, along with the isolation of various metal alkyli-dene complexes from reaction mixtures eventually led to the development of well-defined metal carbene-containing catalysts of tungsten and molybdenum [23-25] (Fig. 2). After decades of research on olefin metathesis polymerization, polymer chemists started to use these well-defined catalysts to create novel polymer structures, while the application of metathesis in small molecule chemistry was just beginning. These advances in the understanding of metathesis continued, but low catalyst stability greatly hindered extensive use of the reaction. 

In particular, Schrock-type catalysts suffered from extreme moisture and air sensitivity because of the high oxidation state of the metal center, molybdenum. Due to the oxophilicity of the central atom, polar or protic functional groups coordinate to the metal center, poisoning the catalyst and rendering it inactive for metathesis. Since late transition metal complexes are typically more stable in the presence of a wide range of functionalities, research was focused on the creation of late transition metal carbene complexes for use as metathesis catalysts. 

Grubbs first well-defined ruthenium carbene catalyst ([Ru]) was introduced in the early 1990s as the first air stable metathesis catalyst allowing for manip- 

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Olefin metathesis has quickly become one of the most widely used methods for mild carbon-carbon bond formation in organic synthesis [1,2]. With the development of highly active, fimctional group-tolerant catalysts, like Grubbs second generation catalyst ([Ru] ), metathesis has been successfully applied across many areas of research, and some reviews already exist that deal with metathesis catalysis and applications [1-5]. This review focuses on recent developments in acycUc diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization chemistry and methodology that have been published over the past five years, starting with a short discussion on the history of olefin metathesis and ADMET polymerization. 

Having traversed some of the key events in the history of olefin metathesis, it is now appropriate to discuss some of the resultant fruits of that early labor in the form of practical applications in organic synthesis. Since the general reaction was bom in the industrial sector, we felt it appropriate to commence with some examples of commercial processes. Among several of the profitable industrial procedures that benefit from olefin metathesis, one of the oldest is the Phillips triolefin process (Scheme 7a) which utilizes a molybdenum-based catalyst system to convert propene (17) into a mixture of 2-butene (18) and ethene (19). These products are then used as monomers for polymer synthesis as well as for general use in petroleum-related applications. The reverse reaction can also be employed to prepare propene for alternative uses. 

A closer look on the history of the development of catalyst 52 shows that this class of compounds was to some degree predestined for the application of NHCs. Complex 51 containing triphenylphosphines is an active catalyst for olefin metathesis. However, the substitution of the triphenylphosphines by more electron-donating and sterically more demanding tricyclohexylphosphines is accompanied by a significantly increased stability and catalytic performance " Thus, complexes of type 53 58,2S5 logical development with respect... 

This chapter will present some of the history of ADMET and olefin metathesis in general, although the emphasis will be on the mechanism and kinetics of ADMET polymerization. The general mechanism for olefin metathesis will be presented before any of the specific catalyst structures are introduced or discussed in order to provide the reader with a firm basis upon which to compare the various popularly used catalysts for ADMET polymerization. In addition, procedural information will be given at the end of the chapter to give the reader an idea of what is specifically involved in a typical ADMET polymerization. 

Rouhi, A. Maureen. Olefin Metathesis Big-Deal Reaction. Chemical Engineering News 80 (December 23, 2002) 29-33 Olefin Metathesis The Early Days. Chemical Engineering News 80 (December 23, 2002) 34—38. These two brief articles explain the complex history of the discovery of the olefin metathesis reaction as well as its applications. 

Organic chemists are generally familiar with Name Reactions and many of these have had profound influence over the way we practice organic chemistry. However, there are a few reactions without a name that changed the course of history (science) and are unparalleled in terms of their impact over a wide range of scientific disciplines. Olefin metathesis is one such reaction that led to the award of Nobel Prize to the pioneers who contributed to the development of this reaction. In a similar vein, we have a group of reactions without a proper name that have taken the scientific community by storm in less than fifteen years, that is, Click Reactions. ... 

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