We report the use of allyl sulfides as promoters for olefin metathesis reactions. In this reaction design, an allyl sulfide directs ruthenium based olefin metathesis catalysts to otherwise unreactive alkenes. In subsequent methathesis events, we demonstrate that the allyl sulfide can be expelled  by various mechanisms. In this way, the allyl sulfide is traceless. We discuss the prospects of coordinating allyl sulfides with relay metathesis and the synthesis of biologically important compounds.

Allyl sulfides as traceless promoters for challenging olefin metathesis reactions

245th National Meeting (2013)

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