Ruthenium–Vinylidene Complexes: An Efficient Class of Homogeneous Metathesis Catalysts

摘要

Several routes to access ruthenium (Ru)–vinylidene complexes are described, the majority of which employ alkynes and a Ru source as the starting materials. The successful application of Ru–vinylidenes as efficient pre-catalysts for the synthesis of carbocyclic and heterocyclic compounds by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of αω, -dienes, and in the synthesis of polymers by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclooctene, norbornene, 5-substituted norbornene, and dicyclopentadiene is fully illustrated. Relevant aspects concerning the activity and selectivity of this type of Ru complexes in metathesis reactions are highlighted.