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Related Concept Videos

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview01:13

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview

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Recently, the development of olefin metathesis polymerization advanced the field of polymer synthesis. Simply put, the reorganization of substituents on their double bonds between two olefins in the presence of a catalyst is known as the olefin metathesis reaction. The use of metathesis reaction for polymer synthesis is called olefin metathesis polymerization.
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists...
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Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides02:26

Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides

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Sulfides are the sulfur analog of ethers, just as thiols are the sulfur analog of alcohol. Like ethers, sulfides also consist of two hydrocarbon groups bonded to the central sulfur atom. Depending upon the type of groups present, sulfides can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical sulfides can be prepared via an SN2 reaction between 2 equivalents of an alkyl halide and one equivalent of sodium sulfide.
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Alkenes via Reductive Coupling of Aldehydes or Ketones: McMurry Reaction01:22

Alkenes via Reductive Coupling of Aldehydes or Ketones: McMurry Reaction

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The radical dimerization of ketones or aldehydes gives vicinal diols through a pinacol coupling reaction. However, the behavior of titanium metals used for the reaction as a source of electrons is unusual. When the reaction is carried out in the presence of titanium, diols can be isolated at low temperatures. Else titanium further reacts with diols, forming alkenes through the McMurry reaction.
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[3,3] Sigmatropic Rearrangement of Allyl Vinyl Ethers: Claisen Rearrangement01:24

[3,3] Sigmatropic Rearrangement of Allyl Vinyl Ethers: Claisen Rearrangement

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The Claisen rearrangement is a [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of allyl vinyl ethers to unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The rearrangement is a concerted pericyclic reaction proceeding via a chair-like transition state.
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Radical Reactivity: Intramolecular vs Intermolecular01:33

Radical Reactivity: Intramolecular vs Intermolecular

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Radical reactions can occur either intermolecularly or intramolecularly. In an intermolecular radical reaction, a nucleophilic radical adds to an electrophilic alkene or vice versa. In such reactions, the radical and generally the alkene, which is also called the radical trap, are two different molecules. Additionally, for such intermolecular reactions to occur, the radical trap must be active, present in an excess concentration, and the radical starting material must have a weak...
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Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Acid-Catalyzed Hydration02:34

Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Acid-Catalyzed Hydration

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The rate of acid-catalyzed hydration of alkenes depends on the alkene's structure, as the presence of alkyl substituents at the double bond can significantly influence the rate.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 16, 2025

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
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The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes

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Slow 3MLCT Formation Prior to Isomerization in Ruthenium Carbene Sulfoxide Complexes.

Rajani Thapa Magar1, Douglas J Breen1, Briana R Schrage2

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111, United States.

Inorganic Chemistry
|October 21, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Ruthenium complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands exhibit efficient photochromism, undergoing sulfur to oxygen isomerization triggered by electron transfer. These complexes show unique isomerization rates and an active role of the carbene in excited state dynamics.

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Heterogeneous Removal of Water-Soluble Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalyst from Aqueous Media Via Host-Guest Interaction
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Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor
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Heterogeneous Removal of Water-Soluble Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalyst from Aqueous Media Via Host-Guest Interaction
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Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor
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Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor

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Area of Science:

  • Coordination Chemistry
  • Photochemistry
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Photochromic complexes are crucial for developing light-responsive materials and molecular switches.
  • Ruthenium complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands offer tunable electronic and photophysical properties.
  • Understanding the mechanisms of photoisomerization in these systems is key to controlling their function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize and characterize novel photochromic ruthenium complexes featuring chelating thioether and sulfoxide NHC ligands.
  • To investigate the photochemical and electrochemical properties governing the isomerization process.
  • To elucidate the role of the NHC ligand and reaction conditions in the excited state dynamics and isomerization mechanism.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis and X-ray crystallography of ruthenium complexes and uncomplexed ligands.
  • Electrochemistry (cyclic voltammetry) to probe redox properties and reaction mechanisms.
  • Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy and bulk photolysis to study photoisomerization kinetics and quantum yields.

Main Results:

  • Successfully prepared and structurally characterized 13 complexes, including four [Ru(bpy)2(NHC-SR)]2+ and four [Ru(bpy)2(NHC-S(O)R)]2+ species.
  • Demonstrated efficient S → O isomerization with high quantum yields (0.24–0.87) and sub-nanosecond time constants.
  • Identified an electron transfer-triggered isomerization mechanism (ECEC) and revealed that the carbene ligand influences isomerization rates and excited-state dynamics.

Conclusions:

  • The synthesized ruthenium complexes exhibit robust photochromic behavior driven by S → O isomerization.
  • The N-heterocyclic carbene ligand plays a critical role in stabilizing the complexes and actively participates in excited-state dynamics.
  • The study provides insights into the mechanistic details of photoisomerization, including an associative transition state for the O → S pathway.