GROUP 8 TRANSITION METAL CARBENE COMPLEXES AS ENANTIOSELECTIVE OLEFIN METATHESIS CATALYSTS

摘要

The invention pertains to the preparation and use of Group 8 transition metal carbene compounds as catalysts for olefin cross- metathesis reactions, and for enantioselective reactions in particular. The synthesis of these compounds and details of their use as catalysts is also provided. The carbene compounds are further ligated by a five-membered heterocycle ligand sigma bonded to the metal atom. This ligand has two nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen or sulfur heteroatoms in the ring adjacent to the carbon atom bonded to the metal atom. This ligand is saturated, the two heteroatoms are preferably nitrogen with phenyl groups bonded to them, and the other two distal carbon atoms of the ligand are preferably chiral.