A New Tool in the Toolbox: Electron-Withdrawing Group Activated ­Ruthenium Catalysts for Olefin Metathesis

Abstract

This account describes the discovery and development of efficient electron-withdrawing group activated Hoveyda–Grubbs catalysts, including a nitro-substituted catalyst and their applications in the syntheses of complex molecules.

1 Introduction

2 EWG-Activated Hoveyda–Grubbs Complexes

2.1 The Discovery and the Story Behind It

2.2 The Nitro-Substituted Hoveyda–Grubbs Catalyst

2.3 pH-Responsive Catalysts

2.4 Fine-Tuning of the EWG Fragment

3 Applications of the Nitro-Substituted Hoveyda–Grubbs Catalyst in the Preparation of Compounds of Biological Relevance

3.1 Synthesis of BILN 2061

4 Concluding Remarks

Key words

alkenes - metathesis - catalysis - carbenes - ruthenium - ­organometallic reagents

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