Synthesis, structure, electrochemistry and ROMP-activity of new ferrocenyl analog of Grubbs' metathesis catalyst

Abstract

Treatment of [(PCy₃)₂Cl₂RuCH–Ph] (I) with vinylferrocene 1 and 1-ferrocenyl-1,3-butadiene 2 yielded solid products. These new complexes were characterized by ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR and¹³C NMR spectroscopy. X-ray crystal structures of both the complexes have been solved. The crystal structure of II confirmed the assigned structure and revealed existence of two sets of intermolecular C–H–Cl(M) type interactions, viz. (Ru)Cl–H–C(ferrocene) and (Ru)Cl–H–CHCl₂. The air-stable, dark solid II is an efficient catalyst for ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclopentene, norbornene and cycloocta-1,5-diene. Electrochemical behavior of the complexes clearly reflects electronic communication between two metal centers.