Olefin metathesis introduction

Olefin metathesis is one of the most important reaction in organic synthesis [44], Complexes of Ru are extremely useful for this transformation, especially so-called Grubbs catalysts. The introduction of NHCs in Ru metathesis catalysts a decade ago ( second generation Grubbs catalysts) resulted in enhanced activity and lifetime, hence overall improved catalytic performance [45, 46]. However, compared to the archetypal phosphine-based Ru metathesis catalyst 24 (Fig. 13.3), Ru-NHC complexes such as 25 display specific reactivity patterns and as a consequence, are prone to additional decomposition pathways as well as non NHC-specific pathways [47]. 

The power of the HR-MAS method for on-resin analysis has been further underscored in the development of new linkers. Without this method, only indirect analytical data after removal from the resin was available. Direct assessment of the resin-bound linker greatly facilitated the introduction of a 4,5-dibromo octane- 1,8-diol linker that was converted into an octane-1,8-diol linker cleavable by olefin metathesis at the end of the synthesis.6 The disappearance and reappearance of the olefinic protons as well as the growing oligosaccharide chain was clearly visible in the H spectrum (Fig. 8.7).7... 

Some other natural compounds have been transformed for their use in the synthesis of polymers via olefin metathesis processes. As mentioned in the introduction, furans, which are obtained from carbohydrates, are perfect precursors of monomers for ROMP via simple Diels-Alder cycloadditions (n) (Scheme 25) [26]. In this regard, the first example of the ROMP of 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene derivatives was reported by Novak and Grubbs in 1988 using ruthenium- and osmium-based catalysts [186]. The number of examples of ROMP with monomers with this generic structure is vast, and it is out of the scope of this chapter to cover all of them. However, it is worth mentioning here the great potential of a renewable platform chemical like furan (and derived compounds), which gives access to such a variety of monomers. 

The first introduction of NHC ligands to ruthenium complexes for olefin metathesis catalysts was reported by Hermann et al. in 1998 [58]. These derivatives exhibit two unsaturated NHC ligands (20) and show little improvement in activity when compared to the parent bis(phosphine) complex 1 (Fig. 2). Due to the stronger a-donor ability of NHCs compared to phosphines, catalyst initiation by dissociation of one NHC is disfavored. Subsequently, the synthesis of phosphine-NHC complex 2 that contains a bulkier NHC ligand was reported by different research groups [2-5]. This complex... 

Only one example of an NHC-containing olefin metathesis catalyst containing a transition metal other than ruthenium has been reported in the literature. The NHC-osmium complexes 53a and 53b (Scheme 2) are synthesized from the dichloro(i]6-p-cymene)osmium dimer by addition of the NHC prepared in situ and abstraction of the chloride, followed by introduction of the ben-zylidene moiety with phenyl diazomethane. 

Several early attempts at ADMET polymerization were made with classical olefin metathesis catalysts [57-59]. The first successful attempt was the ADMET polymerizations of 1,9-decadiene and 1,5-hexadiene with the WClg/EtAlf l,. catalyst mixture [60]. As mentioned in the introduction, the active catalytic entities in these reactions are ill-defined and not spectroscopically identifiable. Ethylene was trapped from the reaction mixture and identified. In addition to the expected ADMET polymers, intractable materials were observed, which were presumed to be the result of vinyl polymerization of the diene to produce crosslinked polymer. Addition to double bonds is a common side reaction promoted by classical olefin metathesis catalysts. Indeed, reaction of styrene with this catalyst mixture and even wifh WCl, alone led to polystyrene. Years later, classical catalysts were revisited in fhe context of producing tin-containing ADMET polymers wifh tungsten phenoxide catalysts [61], Alkyl tin reagents have long been known to act as co-catalysts in classical metathesis catalyst mixtures, and in this case the tin-containing monomer acted as monomer and cocatalyst [62]. Monomers with less than three methylene spacers between the olefin and tin atoms did not polymerize (Scheme 6.14). 

Over the past several years, a number of different strategies have been investigated to perform olefin metathesis reactions in media other than traditional organic solvents. These efforts are related to sustainability, with a focus toward the development of green chemical processes as described in the introduction... 

The past decade has witnessed extensive modifications of Af-heterocyclic carbene ligands for ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts. This includes symmetrical and unsymmetrical NHCs, 1,3- and 4,5-substitutions, introduction of heteroatoms into the backbone, NHC ring size variation, and introduction of chirality. Most of these changes were initially targeted to improve stability and activity of the catalyst, while recent approaches are mainly focused on affording well-defined stereoselectivity. However, the activity and stability of the ruthenium-based metathesis catalysts are not solely ruled by the type of neutral NHC ligand the anionic ligands, chelation mode, substrates used, and the reaction conditions naturally also influence catalytic properties. One of the main lessons learned from ruthenium olefin metathesis development is that there is no one catalyst fits all and every type of application must be studied in detail in order to discover the most efficient catalytic complex. 

Abstract A ort general introduction combined with some historical milestones in the field of olefin metathesis is presented followed by an overview of recent representatives of metal carbene initiators. This paper attempts to relief the many supeib contributions and overwhehning woik invested in intelligent design and innovative synthesis in this area. Despites of recent advances there is still a great interest in the generation of new, better performing, and more environment fiiendly metathesis. 

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