Norbornene derivatives alkene termination

The reaction is an important synthetic route to triazolines and their derivatives [5-7] such as cycUc imines or aziridines and is hence a valuable technique in the synthesis of heterocycles [8]. The reaction rate is dependent on the dipolarophile. Whereas strained olefins, such as norbornene, react readily, terminal alkenes react extremely slowly [9]. 

A subsequent publication by Blechert and co-workers demonstrated that the molybdenum alkylidene 3 and the ruthenium benzylidene 17 were also active catalysts for ring-opening cross-metathesis reactions [50]. Norbornene and 7-oxanorbornene derivatives underwent selective ring-opening cross-metathesis with a variety of terminal acyclic alkenes including acrylonitrile, an allylsilane, an allyl stannane and allyl cyanide (for example Eq. 34). 

A few examples are known using homogeneous transition-metal-catalyzed additions. Rhodium(III) and iridium(III) salts catalyze the addition of dialkylamines to ethylene.302 These complexes are believed to activate the alkene, thus promoting hydroamination. A cationic iridium(I) complex, in turn, catalyzes the addition of aniline to norbornene through the activation of the H—N bond.303 For the sake of comparison it is of interest to note that dimethylamino derivatives of Nb, Ta, and Zr can be used to promote the reaction of dialkylamines with terminal alkenes.304 In this case, however, C-alkylation instead of /V-alkylation occurs. 

Formally the reaction combines the ring opening of norbornene, RCM with the terminal double bond and CM with a second alkene. The domino metathesis involving an allylsilyl derivative has been used as a step in the synthesis of (-)-halosaline [69] and (-)-indolizidine [90]. 

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