New pseudohalide ligands in Ru-catalyzed olefin metathesis — A robust, air-activated iminopyrrolato catalyst

Abstract

Reaction of the Grubbs catalyst RuCl2(PCy3)2(CHPh) (1) with lithium 2-[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]pyrrolide·Et2O (LiNN′·Et2O) gives alkylidene complex 5, containing a chelating, σ-bound iminopyrrolato unit. The structure of 5 is confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Treatment of 5 with pyridine generates RuCl(NN′)(py)2(CHPh) (6) via displacement of PCy3. Complex 5 effects ring-closing metathesis in air, displaying high reactivity relative to 6.Key words: ruthenium, alkylidene, metathesis, pyrrolimine, iminopyrrolato.