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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
Published on: April 10, 2015
Olefin metathesis featuring ruthenium indenylidene complexes with a sterically demanding NHC ligand
César A Urbina-Blanco1, Anita Leitgeb, Christian Slugovc
1EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, KY16 9ST, St Andrews, UK.
Abstract:
The synthesis and characterization of two new ruthenium indenylidene complexes [RuCl(2)(SIPr)(Py)(Ind)] 6 and [RuCl(2)(SIPr)(3-BrPy)(Ind)] 7 featuring the sterically demanding N-heterocyclic carbene 1,3-bis(2,6-di isopropylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene (SIPr) are reported. Remarkable activity was observed with these complexes in ring closing, enyne, and cross metathesis of olefins at low catalyst loadings. The performance of SIPr-bearing complexes 6 and 7 as well as [RuCl(2)(SIPr)(PCy(3))(Ind)] 5 in ring opening metathesis polymerization is also disclosed. This work highlights the enormous influence of the neutral "spectator" ligands on catalyst activity and stability.
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