Ruthenium initiators

The first well-defined Ru alkylidene metathesis initiator, (231), was reported by Grubbs et al. in 1992.632 This complex initiates the ROMP of norbornene and other highly strained monomers such as bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-6-ene.633 Examination of alternative ligands634-636 led to the development of more active initiators, in particular (232)637 and (233).638-640 

Initiator (233), and a polymer-supported analog,641 are commercially available and have found widespread use in the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and ROMP of functionalized substrates. In addition, water-soluble variants such as (234) and (235) have been synthesized using aliphatic ionic phosphines and employed in aqueous media.642-645 

Most ruthenium-initiated ROMP studies have been performed using (233) and strained cyclo-olefinic monomers such as norbornene688 and cyclobutenes,689 although several reports on the polymerization of 8-membered rings have also appeared.690-692 A wide range of functionalities are tolerated, including ethers, esters, amines, amides, alcohols, carboxylic acids, and ketones. 

The synthesis of technologically interesting ROMP materials using (233) includes the preparation of molecular wires,701 liquid-crystal polymers,702,703 chiral supports for catalysis,704 redox-active macromolecules,705 photochromic materials706 and embedded clusters of CdSe.707 Polymers 

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A cross-coupling reactions of terminal alkynes with terminal alkenes 32 supported on Merrifield-resin (Scheme 4.5) in the presence of Grubs ruthenium initiator [Cl2(PCy3)2Ru = CHPh] provided efficient access to supported 1,3-dienes 33 which were transformed into octahydrobenzazepinones 34 via MeAlCl2 catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction [27]. 

Synthesis of block copolymers of norbornene derivatives, with different side groups, has been reported via ROMP [101]. Initially, exo-N-bulyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboximide was polymerized in acetone at room temperature with a ruthenium initiator (Scheme 40). The conversion of the reaction was quantitative. Subsequent addition of norbornene derivative carrying a ruthenium complex led to the formation of block copolymers in 85% yield. Due to the presence of ruthenium SEC experiments could not be performed. Therefore, it was not possible to determine the molecular weight... 

The tetraene precursor 14, assembled in a similar way to 11, underwent smooth cyclization using the ruthenium initiator 3 (0.1 equiv) to give macrolactone 15, again in good yield and with complete E-selectivity. Despite the incorrect olefin geometry, transformation into epoxides 16 provided further encour-... 

In parallel investigations, Danishefsky and coworkers accomplished the preparation of the 16-membered lactone of a model epothilone system via an alternative C9,C10 disconnection [14] (Scheme 4). In this case, coupling of epoxy-alcohol 17 with acids 18a and 18b afforded trienes 19a and 19b respectively. RCM of 19a under the influence of ruthenium initiator 3 produced dienes 20a as a 1 1 mixture of Z -isomers. Under identical conditions, cyclization of 19b produced a single product 20b (tentatively assigned as the Z-isomer). The variable stereoselectivity observed in these reactions was inconsequential since the olefinic functionality could be reduced to afford the corresponding saturated macrolactones. Schrock s molybdenum initiator 1 promoted the cyclization of 19a and 19b with similar efficacy [14]. 

Aldol reaction of keto-acid 21 with aldehyde 10 and esterification of the resulting acids with alcohol 22 led rapidly to cyclization precursor 23 and its 6S,7R-diastereomer (not shown). RCM using ruthenium initiator 3 (0.1 equiv) in dichloromethane (0.0015 M) at 25 °C afforded macrolactones 24a and 24b in a 1.2 1 ratio. Deprotection and epoxidation of the desired macrolactone, 24a, afforded epothilone A (4) via 25a (epothilone C) (Scheme 5). Varying a number of reaction parameters, such as solvent, temperature and concentration, failed to improve significantly the Z-selectivity of the RCM. However, in the context of the epothilone project, the formation of the E-isomer 24b could actually be viewed as beneficial since it allowed preparation of the epothilone A analog 26 for biological evaluation. 

Using a similar C12,C 13 disconnection approach, Schinzer et al. also achieved a total synthesis of epothilone A (4) [16]. The key step involved a highly selective aldol reaction between ketone 27 and aldehyde 10 to afford exclusively alcohol 28 with the correct C6,C7 stereochemistry (Scheme 6). Further elaboration led to triene 29, which underwent RCM using ruthenium initiator 3 in dichloromethane at 25°C, to afford macrocyles 30 in high yield (94%). Although no selectivity was observed (Z E=1 1), deprotection and epoxidation of the desired Z-isomer (30a) completed the total synthesis [16]. 

The transformations discussed in Sects. 2.2-2.3 highlight several important features of the RCM process. Firstly, the compatibility of the ruthenium initiator 3 with a wide range of functional groups including epoxides, vinyl iodides, thia-zoles and alcohols is demonstrated. The versatility of 3 is further illustrated in Sect. 2.3, where it is used to effect RCM of polymer-bound substrates. Previously, the molybdenum complex 1 has been reported to be more sensitive than 3 [19]. Experiments reported here are consistent with this view (Sect. 2.2.3) [14b]. 

Many of the observations discussed above clearly warrant further investigation. In particular methods for controlling the Z -selectivity of the ring-closure are of high priority. Recent reports [27] discussing the precise mode of action of the ruthenium initiators provide a solid foundation upon which these future studies can be built and success in this area will strengthen even further the already powerful RCM process. 

Fig.4A,B. Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) A Structures of organometal-lic initiators that have been used in ROMP to generate neobiopolymers. B General pathway for polymer synthesis using ROMP. Molybdenum-initiated reactions are typically capped with aldehydes and ruthenium-initiated with end ethers.

Fig.16. A ruthenium initiator was used to create block copolymers to investigate the relationship between biological activity and the spacing of carbohydrates on the polymer backbone...

Ruthenium compounds, 19 637-641 synthesis of, 19 640 uses for, 19 640—641 Ruthenium-copper clusters, 16 70 Ruthenium initiators, 26 934 Ruthenium plating, 9 823 Ruthenium-silica... 

Polymerization of cis-cyclooctene with the cyclic ruthenium initiator LXVIII produces cyclopolyoctenamer LXIX as the monomer undergoes ring opening and insertion into the ruthenium-carhene bond of the initiator [Bielawski et al., 2002]. Unlike most ROMPs... 

Since its discovery more than 50 years ago, olefin metathesis has evolved from its origins in binary and ternary mixtures of the Ziegler-Natta type into a research area dominated by well-defined molecular catalysts. Surveys of developments up to 1993 were presented in COMC (1982) and COMC (1995). Major advances in ROMP over the last 10 years include the development of modular, stereoselective group 6 initiators, and easily handled, functional-group tolerant ruthenium initiators. The capacity to tailor polymer functionality, chain length, and microstructure has expanded applications in materials science, to the point where ROMP now constitutes one of the most powerful methods available for the molecular-level design of macromolecular materials. In addition to an excellent and comprehensive text on olefin metathesis, a three-volume handbook s has recently appeared, of which the third volume focuses specifically on applications of metathesis in polymer synthesis. 

Routes to the important class of well-defined ruthenium initiators of the Grubbs type (20b-22b) are summarized in Eigure 4 for details, see Table 2. COMC (1995) described the first example of this family, vinylalkylidene 20a, prepared by reaction of RuCl2(PPh3)3 with 2,2-diphenylcyclopropene. Subsequent treatment with PCys yields 20b (path (a)). (The corresponding complex 21a was later prepared by reaction of RuHCl(PPh3)3 with propargyl chloride see below). Initiator 20a effected controlled ROMP of and bicyclo[3.2.0]heptene M6, but ROMP of less... 

Synthesis of defined-iength, mannose-bearing neogiycopoiymers using Grubbs ruthenium initiator... 

Four different stereoisomers are possible for polymer XLII, poly (cyclobutane-1,2-diyl) (Sec. 8-lf). Cis and trans isomers are possible for pol3mier XLin, poly (but-1-ene-1,4-diyl). (XLni is the same polymer obtained by the l,4-pol3fmerization of 1,3-butadiene— Sec. 8.10). Traditional Ziegler-Natta initiators based on vanadium and metallocene initiators yield polymerizations almost exclusively through the double bond. Titanium, tungsten, and ruthenium initiators yield predominantly ROMP with varying amounts of cis and trans placements. 

In fact, it was reported that DCPD is a poison for ruthenium-initiated ROMP Tanielian, C., Kiennemann, A. and Osparpucu, T. (1979) Can. J. Chem. 57, 2022. 

The Grubbs ruthenium initiator, Cl2Ru(=CHPh)((PC6H 11)3)2 was used for all ROMP reactions. 

Figure 1.3 Ruthenium initiators designed for special applications (Mes = mesityl).

The synthesis of block copolymers via ROMP of conventional monomers has been the focus in the last 10 years. This has included making block copolymers via sequential polymerization of different ROMP monomers as well as those made from a combination of ROMP with other polymerization techniques [74, 141] A metathesis approach has been reported involving ROMP combined with the polymerization of 1,6-heptadiynes by molybdenum or ruthenium initiators [142,143], or with monomers allowing enyne metathesis polymerization [144]. Choi et al. [145] prepared block copolymers of NBE derivatives with a 6-heptadiyne derivative leading to an in situ crosslinking of the conjugated segment and in turn to nanoparticle formation. Moreover, a combination of ROMP and insertion polymerization of ethylene has also been reported [146]. 

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