The activity of indenylidene derivatives in olefin metathesis catalysts

Maria Voccia, Steven P. Nolan, Luigi Cavallo, Albert Poater

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

The first turnover event of an olefin metathesis reaction using a new family of homogenous Ru-based catalysts bearing modified indenylidene ligands has been investigated, using methoxyethylene as a substrate. The study is carried out by means of density functional theory (DFT). The indenylidene ligands are decorated with ortho-methyl and isopropyl groups at both ortho positions of their phenyl ring. DFT results highlight the more sterically demanding indenylidenes have to undergo a more exothermic first phosphine dissociation step. Overall, the study emphasises advantages of increased steric hindrance in promoting the phosphine release, and the relative stability of the corresponding metallacycle over classical ylidene ligands. Mayer bond orders and steric maps provide structural reasons for these effects, whereas NICS aromaticity and conceptual DFT confirm that the electronic parameters do not play a significant role.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2956-2963
Number of pages8
JournalBeilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry
Volume14
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 30 2018

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