In recent years olefin metathesis catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbene ruthenium complexes has attracted remarkable attention as a versatile tool to form new C=C bonds. Specifically, one of the most important challenges in ruthenium-catalyzed olefin metathesis is to increase the stability of the catalysts under reaction conditions and this hopefully without loss of activity. Although, in the solid state, most ruthenium-based olefin metathesis catalysts are stable to oxygen and moisture, in solution decomposition usually occurs readily. Understanding the decomposition routes of catalysts by statics DFT is extremely important as any insight gained in this area can guide catalyst design efforts.Although these catalysts are slightly stable in solution under anaerobic and anhydrous conditions, they might exhibit rapid decomposition in the presence of alcohols. Indeed, in methanol, an unusual indenylidene to indenyl rearrangement has been studied.

Deactivation of Ru based olefin metathesis catalysts

244th National Meeting (2012)

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