New olefin metathesis catalyst bearing N-mesitylimidazole and nitrate ligands – Synthesis, activity, and performance in aqueous media

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2019Source: Journal of Organometallic ChemistryAuthor(s): Marta Malinowska, Mariana Kozlowska, Agnieszka Hryniewicka, Jacek W. MorzyckiAbstractA new 18-electron ruthenium complex, where ruthenium catalytic center is coordinated with the N-mesitylimidazole and nitrate ligands, as well as o-isopropoxystyrene moiety, is reported. The synthesis and detailed characterization of the Ru complex, together with density functional theory calculations (DFT), are presented. The complex is air- and moisture-stable, although has weak catalytical activity in the model metathesis reactions. However, its activity increases upon the addition of an aqueous HCl 1 M solution. Activated Ru complex successfully promotes metathesis in organic solvents as well as in water, enabling efficient performance (even up to 100%) of the catalyst under environment-friendly conditions. The activation mechanism of the reported catalyst is supported by time-dependent DFT calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations.
Source: Journal of Organometallic Chemistry - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research