title: Advanced fine-tuning of grubbs/hoveyda olefin metathesis catalysts: a further step toward an optimum balance between antinomic properties.
abstract: A 95% yield in the cross metathesis of acrylonitrile with a model olefin is achieved at 25 degrees C with only 3 mol % of the new air-stable ruthenium catalyst 1f shown in the enclosed structural diagram. Even more remarkable are the performances of its boosted version 1g incorporating an electron-withdrawing group. Both these new enhanced versions of Hoveyda catalyst are readily available from Grubbs second generation precatalyst upon reaction with a styrenyl ether the end group of which has been functionalized by an ester function. The latter acts as a weakly coordinating ligand allowing to reach a desirable balance between antinomic properties such as the catalyst's stability, a high activity for challenging substrates, and a high initiation rate.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bieniek
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bujok
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cabaj
authors.forename: Noël
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lugan
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lavigne
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arlt
authors.forename: Karol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grela