title: Synthesis of symmetrical trisubstituted olefins by cross metathesis.
abstract: [reaction: see text] Trisubstituted alkenes have been prepared via intermolecular olefin cross-metathesis (CM) between alpha-olefins and symmetrically 1,1-disubstituted olefins using an imidazolylidene ruthenium benzylidene complex. Of particular interest is the synthesis of isoprenoid/prenyl groups by a simple solvent-free CM reaction with isobutylene. In addition, prenyl groups can also be installed by a cross-metathesis of 2-methyl-2-butene with a variety of alpha-olefins at room temperature with low catalyst loadings.
authors.affiliation: The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Laboratory of Chemical Synthesis, Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
authors.forename: Arnab K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Grubbs