Synthesis of Pyrimidine‐Modified NHC Ruthenium‐Alkylidene Catalysts and Their Application in RCM, CM, EM and ROMP Reactions

Abstract

AbstractA new type of N‐heterocyclic carbene bearing ruthenium olefin metathesis catalyst was prepared through the incorporation of a chelated pyrimidinyl methylene subunit, in which electron‐rich substituents were attached to stabilize the ruthenium complexes. These catalysts were successfully used in various types of olefin metathesis reactions, including ring‐closing metathesis (RCM), cross‐metathesis (CM), enyne metathesis (EM), and ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reactions. The results therein showed that the presence of an electron‐deficient pyrimidine structure greatly enhanced the new NHC ruthenium complexes' catalytic activities.