Novel ruthenium complex, method of its production and its use in reaction of olefin metathesis Introduction

The invention relates to a novel ruthenium complex, a method for its preparation and use as a catalyst and/or precatalyst in the olefin metathesis reaction. This invention is applicable to broadly understood organic synthesis utilising olefin reactions of Cross-Metathesis (CM), Ring-Closing Metathesis (RCM), Ring-Closing Enyne Metathesis (RCEYM), diastereoselective Ring Rearrangement Metathesis (dRRM) , Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerisation (ROMP) and Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET).

Background art

A number of ruthenium complexes is known in the art that allow to obtain internal olefins [R. H. Grubbs (Ed.), AG Wenzel (Ed.), D. J. O'Leary (Ed.), E. Khosravi (Ed.), Handbook of Olefin Metathesis, 2nd edition, 3 Volumes, 2015, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1608 pages], among which one should note the 1 st, 2nd and 3rd generations, and complexes comprising two, identical or different, /V-heterocyclic carbene ligands (NHCs). In ruthenium complexes, the active, 14-electron catalyst form comprises a neutral ligand that is a phosphine or NHC [Grubbs et al. Chem. Rev. 2010, 1 10, 1746-1 787; Nolan et al. Chem. Commun. 2014, 50, 10355-10375]. The most versatile and effective complexes are those of the 2nd generation - the so-called Grubbs catalysts (Gru-ll), Hoveydy-Grubbs (Hov-ll) and Indenylidene (Ind II). NHC ligands having various types, more or less complex steric hindrances and modified electronic properties are known from the literature [L. Benhamou, E. Chardon, Guy Lavigne, S. Bellemin-Laponnaz, V. Cesar, Chem. Rev., 2011 , 1 1 1 , 2705-2733, DOI:10.1021 /cr100328e]. In general, one may distinguish NHC imidazole and imidazoline carbene ligands, and some scant reports regarding ruthenium complexes containing NHC ligands with /V-alkyl substituents can be found in the literature. Accordingly, we focus on ruthenium compounds containing A/-aryl substituents in NHC ligands.

Gru-I Gru-ll Gru-lll Hov-I Hov-ll

M1 M2 M31 bis-NHC

(Ind-I) (lnd-ll) (Ind-lll) (Herrmann)

When listing the least sterically hindered NHC ligands used in ruthenium complexes, one should start with bis-orf/7o-tolyl NHC ligand (such as ruthenium A and B complexes), used in both Hov, Gru and Ind complexes [(i) Grubbs et al., Org. Lett., 2007, 9, 1589-1592; (ii) Grubbs et al., Org. Lett, 2008, 10, 441 - 444; (iii) WO2014027040A1 ; (iv) Grela et al., Chem. Commun., 2013, 49, 3188-3190]. Indeed, these precatalysts are characterised by high activity, rapid initiation of metathesis reaction and high conversions/yields in reactions generating tri- and tetra-substituted C=C double bonds. Among symmetrical NHC ligands, less sterically hindered bis-/V-phenyl (such as ruthenium C and D complexes) may be considered; unfortunately, ruthenium complexes containing this type of NHC ligands are rapidly degraded by C-H activation and insertion of Ru to the bond, where non-active in metathesis hydride ruthenium (Ru-H) complexes are generated. Ruthenium complexes containing NHC ligand with bis-/V-2,6- difluorophenyl (such as ruthenium complex E) had very promising chemical properties in olefin metathesis reactions. The Gru complex exhibited significant activation versus Hov, which was explained by the formation, at the stage of initiation of the Gru complex, of intramolecular non-specific interactions between Ru - F atoms, which were observed in Hov complexes in solid state [Grubbs et al., J. Am Chem. Soc, 2006, 128, 1 1768-1 1 769].

The opposite group of symmetrical NHC ligands includes the ligands with a substantial steric hinderence. The first ligand in the order of the ligands will be the SIPr ligand (such as the ruthenium complex F), i.e. containing bis-/V-2,6-diisopropylphenyl [(i) Mol et al., Adv. Synth. Catal., 2002, 344, 671 -677; (ii) Grubbs et al., Organometallics, 2006, 25, 5740-5745]. In literature, SIPr ligand is abundant in Gru, Hov and Ind complexes, and ligand experiments using a hindered SIPr ligand have sometimes led to unintuitive results [Org. Lett, 2008, 10, 441 -444]. Another, slightly more sterically crowded metathesis precatalyst is complex G, whose structure contains NHC ligand with bis-/V-3,5-diterbutylphenyl [Grubbs et al., Org. Lett, 2007, 9, 1339-1342]. The G complex, despite its steric hinderence, unsubstituted positions 2,6 in the aromatic substituent make it an active catalyst. The last group of symmetrical NHC ligands are ligands having racemic, chiral or meso ligands (such as H complexes). These compounds are used for asymmetric olefin metathesis reactions conducted on substrates producing various optical isomers [Grubbs et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc, 2006, 128, 1 840-1846].

E F G H

Another matter in regard of the structure of ruthenium complexes containing NHC ligands are compounds containing unsymmetrical Λ/,Λ/'-disubstituted NHC ligands. The literature regarding this topic is very abundant in terms of the number of new structures. Yet, in regards to exhaustive investigation of the potential uses of ruthenium complexes containing such unsymmetrical NHC ligands, literature doesn't offer much, as experiments that tested their usability are usually limited to simple RCM and CM reactions. Unsymmetrical NHC ligands containing two A/-aryl substituents, such as I complex, were obtained by the Grubbs' team [Chem. Eur. J., 2008, 14, 7545-7556]. Other ruthenium complexes containing unsymmetrical NHC A/-aryl-/V-alkyl substituted ligands are e.g. J and K complexes [(i) Verpoort et al, Chem. Eur. J., 2006, 12, 4654-4661 ; (ii) Verpoort et al., Adv. Synth. Catal., 2007, 349, 1 692-1700]. An interesting extension of this type of ruthenium complexes includes structures such as M, proposed by Mauduit et al. [ACS Catalysis, 2016, 6, 7970-7976]. These complexes contain a NHC ligand with one N- aryl, and one /V-cycloalkyl substituents with varied ring sizes. Another modification of the NHC ligands in metathesis precatalysts was the synthesis of ligands containing one A/-aryl, and one /V-aralkyl or N- heteroaralkyl substituents. Catalysts of this type (having ligands such as in precatalysts N and O) exhibited promising properties in difficult olefin metathesis reactions (i) Grela et al., Organometallics, 2012, 31, 7316-731 9; (ii) Grela et al., Organometallics, 2014, 33, 2160-21 71 ; (iii) WO2016092424A1 ; (iv) Grela et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 77013-77019].

R S

The last group of olefin metathesis precatalysts containing unsymmetrical NHC ligands are bidentate complexes. The first report on the preparation and use of said complex in asymmetric olefin metathesis reactions was published by Hoveydy et al. [J. Am. Chem. Soc, 2002, 124, 4954-4955]. P ruthenium complexes, despite their low activity, exhibited high effectiveness in asymmetric reactions. The last group of unsymmetrical bidentate NHC ligands used in ruthenium complexes are R and S complexes containing adamantyl (or other) substituent that have been generated by C-H activation and insertion of Ru to this bond [(i) Grubbs et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc, 2011 , 133, 8525-8527; (ii) Grubbs et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc, 2012, 134, 693-699; (iii) Grubbs et al., Organometallics 2015, 34, 2858-2869].

The complicated and costly synthesis pathways of ruthenium complexes containing NHC ligands that require the use of expensive reagents such as silver salts, strong bases, dry and deoxygenated solvents, impede the synthesis of ruthenium complexes and broad use of olefin metathesis in industry. Moreover, there are few known complexes that are durable and resistant to exposure to high temperatures, and few precatalysts whose activation to catalysts can be controlled during the reaction under high temperature conditions. Furthermore, controlling the activity and absence of isomerisation of the C=C double bond during (or after) the metathesis reaction under high temperature conditions is an important aspect of that issue.

Study of new applications of olefin metathesis reactions in industry is an important reason behind the continuous search for new ruthenium complexes with modified catalytic properties. These wou ld be, in particular, ruthenium complexes with more universal catalytic properties in a broad spectrum of reaction conditions and high tolerance of functional groups of substrates.

Solution to the problem

Surprisingly, it has been found that olefin metathesis precatalysts and/or catalysts of the invention exhibit reduced activity in the C=C double bond isomerization side reaction relative to commercially available ruthenium complexes, which is a significant problem when conducting the cross-metathesis reaction at high temperatures (> 50°C). Olefin metathesis precatalysts and/or catalysts of the invention effectively catalyse medium size ring closure in the RCM process (cyclic olefins having the ring size of 7, 8) relative to commercially available complexes, in particular substrates susceptible to migration of the double bond. Olefin metathesis precatalysts and/or catalysts of the invention catalyze at high yields preparation of chemical compounds through the process of biomass ethenolysis (e.g. ethyl oleate) that are desirable in the industry. In addition, olefin metathesis precatalysts and/or catalysts of the invention allow for obtaining previously unavailable chiral building blocks through the ethenolysis of naturally occuring terpenoids (exemplified by caryophyllene).

Disclosure of the essence of the invention

Thus, the present invention relates to a compound of the structure represented by formula 9

wherein:

X ¹ and X ² are each an anionic ligand; X ¹ and X ² may be interconnected to form a cyclic system;

G is a halogen atom or a substituent selected from the group of OR', SR', S(0)R', S(0) ₂ R' N(R')(R"), P(R')(R"), where R' and R" are the same or different C _r C ₂₅ alkyl group, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl group, a C ₂₅ alkoxy group, a C ₂ -C ₂₅ alkenyl, a C^C^ perfluoroalkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy group, or which may be interconnected to form a substituted or non-substituted a C ₄ -Ci ₀ cyclic or a C ₄ -Ci ₂ polycyclic systems, which are optionally substituted by at least one C1 -C12 alkyl, a C1 -C12 perfluoroalkyl, a C1 -C12 alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂ 4 aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂ o heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂ o heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂ o heteroaryloxy, may also be substituted by ester (-COOR'), amide (-CONR' ₂ ), formyl (-CHO), ketone (-COR'), hydroxamic (-CON(OR')(R')) group, wherein R' is a alkyl, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl, a C ₂ -C ₁₂ alkenyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, which are optionally substituted by at least one alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C2-C20 heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂ o heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂ o heteroaryloxy, or a halogen atom ;

Ar ¹ and Ar ² are each a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl group, which is optionally substituted with hydrogen atoms or it is optionally substituted with at least one C^C^ alkyl, a C^C^ perfluoroalkyl, a C^C^ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl, or a halogen atom; R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ are each a hydrogen atom, an alkoxy group (-OR'), a sulfidic group (-SR'), a cyano group (- CN), a sulfoxide group (-S(O)R'), a sulfonamide group (-S0 ₂ NR' ₂ ), a sulfonamide group (-NR'S0 ₂ R'), a sulpho group (-S0 ₂ R), a sulphonium (-S ⁺ R' ₂ ), a phosphonium group (-P(0)(OR') ₂ ), a phosphinium group (-P(O)R'(OR')), a phosphonous group (-P(OR') ₂ ), a phosphine group (-PR' ₂ ), a phosphine group (-P ⁺ R' ₃ ) a nitro group (-N0 ₂ ), a a nitroso group (-NO), a carboxy group (-COOH), an ester group (-COOR'), a formyl group (-CHO), a ketone group, (-COR'), an amide (-CONR' ₂ ), an imido (-CONR'COR'), an amino (-NR' ₂ ), an ammonium (-N ⁺ R' ₃ ), an amido (-NR'COR') groups, in which groups R' is a C _r C ₅ alkyl, a C C ₅ perfluoroalkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryl, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl, a C ₄ -C ₂ o heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂ o heteroaryloxy, and wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ and R ⁴ may be interconnected to form a cyclic system ;

R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ , R ^{1 1} and R ¹² are each a hydrogen atom or a C C ₂₅ alkyl, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl, a C1 -C5 perfluoroalkyl, a C ₂ -Ci ₂ alkenyl, a C ₅ -C ₂ o aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂ o heterocyclic, C ₄ -C ₂ o heteroaryl, a C5-C20 heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl group, which are optionally substituted by at least one C1 -C12 alkyl, a C1 -C12 perfluoroalkyl, a C1 -C12 alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₄ -C ₂ o heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂ o heteroaryloxy, or a halogen atom ; and wherein R ⁵ and R ⁶ and/or R ⁷ and R ⁸ may be interconnected to form a cyclic system .

Preferably, the compound of the present invention has the structure represented by formula 9a

X ¹ and X ² are each a halogen atom;

Z is O, S, NR' or PR', wherein group R' is a C^Cs alkyl, a C1 -C5 perfluoroalkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryl, a C ₇ -C aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy;

Ar _! and Ar ₂ are each a C ₅ -C ₂ o aryl, a C ₄ -C ₂ o heteroaryl group, that is substituted by hydrogen atoms, optionally is substituted by at least one C1 -C12 alkyl, a C1 -C12 perfluoroalkyl, a C1 -C12 alkoxy, a C ₅ -C aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂ o heterocyclic, a C ₄ -C ₂ o heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂ o heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl groups, or a halogen atom;

R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ are each a hydrogen atom, an alkoxy group (-OR'), a sulfidic group (-SR'), a cyano group (- CN), a sulfoxide group (-S(O)R'), a sulfonamide group (-S0 ₂ NR' ₂ ), a sulpho group (-S0 ₂ R), a sulphonium (-S+R'2), a phosphonium group (-P(0)(OR')2), a phosphinium group (-P(O)R'(OR')), a phosphonous group (-P(OR') ₂ ), a phosphine group (-PR' ₂ ), a nitro group (-N0 ₂ ), a nitroso group (-NO), a carboxy group (-COOH), an ester group (-COOR'), a formyl group (-CHO), a ketone group, (-COR'), an amide (-CONR' ₂ ), an imido (-CONR'COR'), an amino (-NR' ₂ ), an ammonium (-N ⁺ R' ₃ ), an amido (-NR'COR') groups, in which groups R' is a C C ₅ alkyl, a C^Cs perfluoroalkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryl, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl, C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, and wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ and R ⁴ may be interconnected to form a cyclic system,

R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ , R ^{1 1} and R ¹² are each a hydrogen atom or a C C ₂₅ alkyl, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl, a C1 -C5 perfluoroalkyl, a C ₂ -Ci ₂ alkenyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclic, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl group, which are optionally substituted by at least one Ci -Ci ₂ alkyl, a Ci -Ci ₂ perfluoroalkyl, a Ci -Ci ₂ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, or a halogen atom ; and wherein R ⁵ and R ⁶ and/or R ⁷ and R ⁸ may be interconnected to form a cyclic system,

R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ , are each a hydrogen atom or a C^C^ alkyl group, a C^C^ alkoxy group, a C ₂ -C ₂₅ alkenyl group, a Ci -Ci ₂ perfluoroalkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy group, or which may be interconnected to form a substituted or non-substituted C ₄ -Ci ₀ cyclic or C ₄ -Ci ₂ polycyclic systems, it may also be an ester (-COOR'), amide (-CONR' ₂ ), formyl (-CHO), ketone (-COR'), hydroxamic (- CON(OR')(R')) groups or a halogen atom, wherein R' is a Ci -Ci ₂ alkyl, a C ₃ -Ci ₂ cycloalkyl, a C ₂ -Ci ₂ alkenyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, which are optionally substituted by at least one Ci -Ci ₂ alkyl, a Ci -Ci ₂ perfluoroalkyl, a Ci -Ci ₂ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, or a halogen atom.

Preferably, the compound of the present invention has the structure represented by formula 9b

9b

Αη is each a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl group, that is substituted by hydrogen atoms, or optionally is substituted by at least one C^C^ alkyl, a C^C^ perfluoroalkyl, a C^C^ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclic, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl, or a halogen atom;

R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ are each a hydrogen atom, an alkoxy group (-OR'), a sulfidic group (-SR'), a cyano group (- CN), a sulfoxide group (-S(O)R'), a sulfonamide group (-S0 ₂ NR' ₂ ), a sulpho group (-S0 ₂ R), a sulphonium (-S+R'2), a phosphonium group (-P(0)(OR')2), a phosphinium group (-P(O)R'(OR')), a phosphonous group (-P(OR') ₂ ), a phosphine group (-PR' ₂ ), a nitro group (-N0 ₂ ), a nitroso group (-NO), a carboxy group (-COOH), an ester group (-COOR'), a formyl group (-CHO), a ketone group, (-COR'), an amide (-CONR' ₂ ), an imido (-CONR'COR'), an amino (-NR' ₂ ), an ammonium (-N ⁺ R' ₃ ), an amido (-NR'COR') groups, in which groups R' is a C C ₅ alkyl, a C^Cs perfluoroalkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryl, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, and wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ and R ⁴ may be interconnected to form a cyclic system,

R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ , R ^{1 1} and R ¹² are each a hydrogen atom or a Ci-C ₂₅ alkyl, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl, a C C ₅ perfluoroalkyl, a C ₂ -C ₁₂ alkenyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclic, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl group, which are optionally substituted by at least one C^C^ alkyl, a C^C^ perfluoroalkyl, a C^C^ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, or a halogen atom ; and wherein R ⁵ and R ⁶ and/or R ⁷ and R ⁸ may be interconnected to form a cyclic system,

R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ , are each a hydrogen atom or a Ci-C ₂₅ alkyl group, n Ci-C ₂₅ alkoxy group, a C ₂ -C ₂₅ alkenyl group, a Ci-Ci ₂ perfluoroalkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy group, or which may be interconnected to form a substituted or non-substituted C ₄ -Ci ₀ cyclic or C ₄ -Ci ₂ polycyclic systems, it may also be an ester (-COOR'), amide (-CONR' ₂ ), formyl (-CHO), ketone (-COR'), hydroxamic (- CON(OR')(R')) groups or a halogen atom, wherein R' is a C^C^ alkyl, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl, a C ₂ -C ₁₂ alkenyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, which are optionally substituted by at least one C^C^ alkyl, a C^C^ perfluoroalkyl, a Ci-Ci ₂ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, or a halogen atom.

Preferably, the compound of the present invention has the structure represented by formula Ru-3

Ru-3

The present invention also relates to a process for preparing a compound of formula 9

wherein :

X ¹ and X ² are each an anionic ligand; X ¹ and X ² may be interconnected to form a cyclic system ;

G is a halogen atom or a substituent selected from the group of OR', SR', S(0)R', S(0) ₂ R' N(R')(R"), P(R')(R"), where R' and R" are the same or different C1-C25 alkyl group, a C3-C12 cycloalkyl group, a C C25 alkoxy group, a C ₂ -C ₂ 5 alkenyl group, a C1 -C12 perfluoroalkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂ o aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂ 4 aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂ o heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl , a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, or which may be interconnected to form a substituted or non-substituted C ₄ -Ci ₀ cyclic or C ₄ -Ci ₂ polycyclic systems, which are optionally substituted by at least one C^C^ alkyl, a C^C^ perfluoroalkyl , a C^C^ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl , a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, may also be substituted by ester (-COOR'), amide (-CONR' ₂ ), formyl (-CHO), ketone (-COR'), hydroxamic (-CON(OR')(R')) group, wherein R' is a CrC^ alkyl, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl, a C ₂ -C ₁₂ alkenyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl , which are optionally substituted by at least one CrC^ alkyl, a C^C^ perfluoroalkyl, a C^C^ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, or a halogen atom ;

Ar ¹ and Ar ² are each a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ group perfluoroaryl, which is optionally substituted with hydrogen atoms or it is optionally substituted with at least one Ci-Ci ₂ alkyl, a Ci-Ci ₂ perfluoroalkyl , a Ci-Ci ₂ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl, or a halogen atom ; R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ are each a hydrogen atom , an alkoxy group (-OR'), a sulfidic group (-SR'), a cyano group (- CN), a sulfoxide group (-S(O)R'), a sulfonamide group (-S0 ₂ NR' ₂ ), a sulfonamide group (-NR'S0 ₂ R'), a sulpho group (-S0 ₂ R), a sulphonium (-S ⁺ R' ₂ ), a phosphonium group (-P(0)(OR') ₂ ), a phosphinium group (-P(O)R'(OR')), a phosphonous group (-P(OR') ₂ ), a phosphine group (-PR' ₂ ), a phosphine group (-P ⁺ R' ₃ ) a nitro group (-N0 ₂ ), a a nitroso group (-NO), a carboxy group (-COOH), an ester group (-COOR'), a formyl group (-CHO), a ketone group, (-COR'), an amide (-CONR' ₂ ), an imido (-CONR'COR'), an amino (-NR' ₂ ), an ammonium (-N ⁺ R' ₃ ), an amido (-NR'COR') groups, in which groups R' is a C^Cs alkyl, a C1 -C5 perfluoroalkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryl, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl , a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, and wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ and R ⁴ may be interconnected to form a cyclic system ;

R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ , R ^{1 1} and R ¹² are each a hydrogen atom or a CrC^ alkyl , a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl, a C C ₅ perfluoroalkyl, a C ₂ -C ₁₂ alkenyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclic, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl group, which are optionally substituted by at least one Ci-Ci ₂ alkyl, a Ci-Ci ₂ perfluoroalkyl, a Ci-Ci ₂ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂ o heteroaryloxy, or a halogen atom ; and wherein R ⁵ and R ⁶ and/or R ⁷ and R ⁸ may be interconnected to form a cyclic system,

characterised in that the alkylidene ruthenium complex of formula 10

L ¹ are neutral ligands selected from the group consisting of pyridine or substituted pyridine, P(R')3, P(OR') ₃ , 0(R') ₂ , N(R') ₃ , wherein R' is each a C C _{i 2} alkyl, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl, a 5-12 membered heteroaryl ;

X ¹ and X ² are each an anionic ligand; X ¹ and X ² may be interconnected to form a cyclic system;

G is a halogen atom or a substituent selected from the group of OR', SR', S(0)R', S(0) ₂ R' N(R')(R"), P(R')(R"), where R' and R" are the same or different C _r C ₂₅ alkyl group, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl group, a C _r C ₂₅ alkoxy group, a C ₂ -C ₂₅ alkenyl group, a C^C^ perfluoroalkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, or which may be interconnected to form a substituted or non-substituted C ₄ -Ci ₀ cyclic or C ₄ -Ci ₂ polycyclic systems, which are optionally substituted by at least one Ci-Ci ₂ alkyl, a Ci-Ci ₂ perfluoroalkyl, a Ci-Ci ₂ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, may also be substituted by ester (-COOR'), amide (-CONR' ₂ ), formyl (-CHO), ketone (-COR'), hydroxamic (-CON(OR')(R')) group, wherein R' is C C ₁₂ alkyl, C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl, C ₂ -C ₁₂ alkenyl, C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, which are optionally substituted by at least one C^C^ alkyl, a Ci-Ci ₂ perfluoroalkyl, a Ci-Ci ₂ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, or a halogen atom;

R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ are each a hydrogen atom, an alkoxy group (-OR'), a sulfidic group (-SR'), a cyano group (- CN), a sulfoxide group (-S(O)R'), a sulfonamide group (-S0 ₂ NR' ₂ ), a sulpho group (-S0 ₂ R), a sulphonium (-S+R'2), a phosphonium group (-P(0)(OR')2), a phosphinium group (-P(O)R'(OR')), a phosphonous group (-P(OR') ₂ ), a phosphine group (-PR' ₂ ), a nitro group (-N0 ₂ ), a nitroso group (-NO), a carboxy group (-COOH), an ester group (-COOR'), a formyl group (-CHO), a ketone group, (-COR'), an amide (-CONR' ₂ ), an imido (-CONR'COR'), an amino (-NR' ₂ ), an ammonium (-N ⁺ R' ₃ ), an amido (-NR'COR') groups, in which groups R' is a Ci-C ₅ alkyl, a Ci-C ₅ perfluoroalkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryl, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, and wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ and R ⁴ may be interconnected to form a cyclic system,

is reacted with carbene of formula 8aa

wherein:

Ar _! and Ar ₂ are each a C ₅ -C ₂ o aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂ 4 aryloxy, a C ₄ -C ₂ o heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl group, which is optionally substituted with hydrogen atoms or it is optionally substituted with at least one C^C^ alkyl, a C^C^ perfluoroalkyl, a C^C^ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl, or a halogen atom; R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ , R ^{1 1} and R ¹² are each a hydrogen atom or a C^C^ alkyl, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl, a C C ₅ perfluoroalkyl, a C ₂ -C ₁₂ alkenyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclic, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl group, which are optionally substituted by at least one Ci-Ci ₂ alkyl, a Ci-Ci ₂ perfluoroalkyl, a Ci-Ci ₂ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, or a halogen atom ; and wherein R ⁵ and R ⁶ and/or R ⁷ and R ⁸ may be interconnected to form a cyclic system,

Preferably, the alkylidene ruthenium complex of formula 10

wherein:

L ¹ are neutral ligands selected from the group consisting of pyridine or substituted pyridine, P(R') ₃ , P(OR') ₃ , 0(R') ₂ , N(R') ₃ , wherein R' is each a C C _{i 2} alkyl, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl, a 5-12 membered heteroaryl ;

X ¹ and X ² are each an anionic ligand; X ¹ and X ² may be interconnected to form a cyclic system ;

G is a halogen atom or a substituent selected from the group of OR', SR', S(0)R', S(0) ₂ R' N(R')(R"), P(R')(R"), where R' and R" are the same or different a C _r C ₂ 5 alkyl group, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl group, a C C ₂₅ alkoxy group, a C ₂ -C ₂₅ alkenyl group, a C^C^ perfluoroalkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, or which may be interconnected to form a substituted or non-substituted C ₄ -Ci ₀ cyclic or C ₄ -Ci ₂ polycyclic systems, which are optionally substituted by at least one Ci-Ci ₂ alkyl, a Ci-Ci ₂ perfluoroalkyl, a Ci-Ci ₂ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, may also be substituted by ester (-COOR'), amide (-CONR' ₂ ), formyl (-CHO), ketone (-COR'), hydroxamic (-CON(OR')(R')) group, wherein R' is a Ci-Ci ₂ alkyl, a C ₃ -Ci ₂ cycloalkyl, a C ₂ -Ci ₂ alkenyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, which are optionally substituted by at least one C1 -C12 alkyl, a C1 -C12 perfluoroalkyl, a C1 -C12 alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂ o aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂ 4 aryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂ 4 aralkyl, a C2-C20 heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂ o heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂ o heteroaryloxy, or a halogen atom ;

R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ are each a hydrogen atom, an alkoxy group (-OR'), a sulfidic group (-SR'), a cyano group (- CN), a sulfoxide group (-S(O)R'), a sulfonamide group (-S0 ₂ NR' ₂ ), a sulpho group (-S0 ₂ R), a sulphonium (-S+R'2), a phosphonium group (-P(0)(OR')2), a phosphinium group (-P(O)R'(OR')), a phosphonous group (-P(OR') ₂ ), a phosphine group (-PR'2), a nitro group (-N0 ₂ ), a nitroso group (-NO), a carboxy group (-COOH), an ester group (-COOR'), a formyl group (-CHO), a ketone group, (-COR'), an amide (-CONR' ₂ ), an imido (-CONR'COR'), an amino (-NR' ₂ ), an ammonium (-N ⁺ R' ₃ ), an amido (-NR'COR') groups, in which groups R' is a C C ₅ alkyl, a C C ₅ perfluoroalkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryl, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, and wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ and R ⁴ may be interconnected to form a cyclic system,

is reacted with carbene produced in situ as a result of the effect of a base selected from those such as potassium ferf-amylate, potassium ferf-butoxide, potassium Λ/,Λ/'-bis (trimethylsilyl)amide, sodium hydride, on a carbene precursor of formula 8a

wherein:

An and Ar ₂ are each a C5-C20 aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₄ -C ₂ o heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂ o heteroaryloxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl group, which is optionally substituted with hydrogen atoms or it is optionally substituted with at least one C^C^ alkyl, a C^C^ perfluoroalkyl, a C^C^ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl, or a halogen atom;

R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ , R ^{1 1} and R ¹² are each a hydrogen atom or a C C ₂₅ alkyl, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl, a C1 -C5 perfluoroalkyl, a C ₂ -Ci ₂ alkenyl, a C ₅ -C ₂ o aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂ o heterocyclic, a C ₄ -C ₂ o heteroaryl, a C5-C20 heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl group, which are optionally substituted by at least one C^C^ alkyl, a C^C^ perfluoroalkyl, a C^C^ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, or a halogen atom ; and wherein R ⁵ and R ⁶ and/or R ⁷ and R ⁸ may be interconnected to form a cyclic system ;

X ^" is a halide anion, or BF ₄ ^" , PF ₆ ^" , CI0 ₄ ^" .

Preferably, carbides of formula 8aa are provided to the reaction medium by thermally generating them in situ from suitable carbene precursors of formula 8b that are adducts with chloroform, carbon dioxide or alcohol, wherein:

Z is CCI ₃ , C0 ₂ or OR', wherein R' is a C1 -C12 alkyl, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl, a C ₂ -C ₁₂ alkenyl, or a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, which are optionally substituted by at least one Ci -Ci ₂ alkyl, a Ci-Ci ₂ perfluoroalkyl, a Ci -Ci ₂ alkoxy, a C ₅ - C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy or a halogen atom ;

Αη and Ar ₂ are each a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl group, which is optionally substituted with hydrogen atoms or it is optionally substituted with at least one C^C^ alkyl, a C^C^ perfluoroalkyl, a C^C^ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl, or a halogen atom; R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ , R ^{1 1} and R ¹² are each a hydrogen atom or a Ci -C ₂₅ alkyl, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl, a C1 -C5 perfluoroalkyl, a C ₂ -Ci ₂ alkenyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclic, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl group, which are optionally substituted by at least one Ci -Ci ₂ alkyl, a Ci -Ci ₂ perfluoroalkyl, a Ci -Ci ₂ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, or a halogen atom ; and wherein R ⁵ and R ⁶ and/or R ⁷ and R ⁸ may be interconnected to form a cyclic system,

Preferably, the alkylidene ruthenium complex of formula 10 is contacted with a compound of formula 8c, which acts as a NHC carbene ligand donor of formula 8aa,

wherein:

An and Ar ₂ are each a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl group, which is optionally substituted with hydrogen atoms or it is optionally substituted with at least one C^C^ alkyl, a C^C^ perfluoroalkyl, a C^C^ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclyl, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl, or a halogen atom; R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ , R ^{1 1} and R ¹² are each a hydrogen atom or a Ci-C ₂₅ alkyl, a C ₃ -C ₁₂ cycloalkyl, a C ₁ -C5 perfluoroalkyl, a C ₂ -Ci ₂ alkenyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ aryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₂ -C ₂₀ heterocyclic, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, a C ₇ -C ₂₄ aralkyl, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ perfluoroaryl group, which are optionally substituted by at least one C^C^ alkyl, a C^C^ perfluoroalkyl, a C^C^ alkoxy, a C ₅ -C ₂₄ aryloxy, a C ₄ -C ₂₀ heteroaryl, a C ₅ -C ₂₀ heteroaryloxy, or a halogen atom ; and wherein R ⁵ and R ⁶ and/or R ⁷ and R ⁸ may be interconnected to form a cyclic system ;

X ^" is a halide anion, or BF ₄ ^" , PF ₆ ^" , CI0 ₄ ^" .

The present invention also relates to the use of a compound of formula 9 as a precatalyst and/or catalyst in olefin metathesis reactions.

Preferably, the compound of formula 9 is used as a precatalyst and/or catalyst in the reactions of ring- closing metathesis (RCM), homomethatesis, cross-metathesis (CM), ethenolysis, isomerisation, in the diastereoselective ring rearrangement metathesis (DRRM) reaction, „alken-alkyn" (en-yn) metathesis or ROMP type polymerisation reactions.

Preferably, the compound of formula 9 is used as a precatalyst and/or catalyst in the ring-opening metathetic polymerisation (ROMP) reaction of dicyclopentadiene or norbornene.

Preferably, the compound of formula 9 is used as a precatalyst and/or catalyst in the reaction mixture for a period between 1 minute and 24 hours.

Preferably, the reaction is conducted in non-polar solvents or without a solvent.

Preferably, the reaction is conducted in an organic solvent such as toluene, benzene, mesitylene, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, tertbutyl methyl ether, cyclopentylmethyl ether, or with no solvent.

Preferably, the reaction is conducted at a temperature of from 20 to 150°C.

Preferably, compound 9 is used in an amount of less than 1 mol%.

Preferably, compound 9 is added to the reaction mixture in portions and/or continuously using a pump. Preferably, compound 9 is added to the reaction mixture as a solid and/or as a solution in an organic solvent.

Preferably, at least one olefin is added to the reaction mixture in portions and/or continuously using a pump.

Preferably, the gaseous by-product of the reaction (ethylene, propylene, butylene) is actively removed from the reaction mixture using an inert gas or vacuum.

Preferably, the compound of formula 9 was used as a substrate for the synthesis of other ruthenium complex compounds that are precatalysts and/or catalysts of olefin metathesis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The invention will be presented in greater detail in a preferred embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the summary of olefin metathesis precatalysts and/or catalysts used according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the structure of the Ru-3 compound obtained based on X-ray structural analysis. Fig. 3 illustrates reaction profiles of the ring closing of diethyl diallylmalonate (DEDAM) in the RCM reaction catalysed by selected ruthenium complexes at 1 mol% at the temperature of 40°C in CD ₂ CI ₂ under argon.

Fig. 4 illustrates reaction profiles of the ring closing of diethyl diallylmalonate (DEDAM) in the RCM reaction catalysed by selected ruthenium complexes at 0.1 mol% at the temperature of 40°C in CD ₂ CI ₂ under argon.

Fig. 5 illustrates reaction profiles of the ring closing of diethyl allylmethylallylmalonate (DEAMAM) in the RCM reaction catalysed by selected ruthenium complexes at 1 mol% at the temperature of 40°C in CD ₂ CI ₂ under argon.

Fig. 6 illustrates reaction profiles of the ring closing of diethyl diallyltosylamide (DATA) in the RCM reaction catalysed by selected ruthenium complexes at 0.1 mol% at the temperature of 40°C in CD ₂ CI ₂ under argon.

Fig. 7 is a kinetic profile of the stability of selected precatalysts in CD ₂ CI ₂ under argon over time.

Fig. 8 is a kinetic profile of the stability (initiation speed) of selected precatalysts in CD ₂ CI ₂ under ethylene over time that reflects the decomposition of a 14-electron ruthenium olefin metathesis reaction catalyst.

Fig. 9a shows ethenolysis results of ethyl oleate under 10 bar of ethylene dynamic pressure (99.9% purity) at the temperature of 50°C for 3 hours.

Fig. 9b shows ethenolysis results of caryophyllene under various reaction conditions.

Fig. 10 is a kinetic profile of 1 -octene homomethatesis reaction, and the accompanying isomerisation reaction, without solvent, at the temperature of 80°C, 500 ppm Ru-3 (see Fig. 10a) or Ru-1 (see Fig. 10b).

Terms

The terms used in the present description have the meanings as follows. Non-defined terms in this document have the meaning given and understood by a person skilled in the art in the light of the best knowledge held, of the present disclosure, and of the context of the description of the patent application. Unless it is indicated otherwise, the following conventional chemistry terms are used the present description that have the meanings as defined below.

The term„halogen atom" or„halogen" refers to an element selected from F, CI, Br, I.

The term„carbene" refers to a particle containing an neutral carbon atom with a valence number of two and having two unpaired (triplet state) or paired (singlet state) valence electrons. The term„carbene" also includes carbene analogs in which the carbon atom is substituted by another chemical element such as boron, silicon, germanium, tin, lead, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, selenium and tellurium.

The term„alkyf refers to a saturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon substituent having the indicated number of carbon atoms. Examples of alkyl substituents include -methyl, -ethyl, -n-propyl, -n-butyl, -n- pentyl, -n-hexyl, -n-heptyl, -n- octyl, n-nonyl, and -n-decyl. Representative branched -(CrC^alkyls include -isopropyl, -sec-butyl, -isobutyl, -tert-butyl, -isopentyl, -neopentyl, -1 -methylobutyl, -2-methylobutyl, -3- methylobutyl, -1 ,1 -dimethylopropyl, -1 ,2-dimethylopropyl, -1 -methylopentyl, -2-methylopentyl, -3- methylopentyl, -4-methylopentyl, -1 -ethylobutyl, -2-ethylobutyl, -3-ethylobutyl, -1 ,1 -dimethylobutyl, -1 ,2- dimethylobutyl, 1 ,3-dimethylobutyl, -2,2-dimethylobutyl, -2,3-dimethylobutyl, -3,3-dimethylobutyl, -1 - methylohexyl, 2-methylohexyl, -3-methylohexyl, -4-methylohexyl, -5-methylohexyl, -1 ,2-dimethylopentyl, - 1 ,3-dimethylopentyl, -1 ,2-dimethylohexyl, -1 ,3-dimethylohexyl, -3,3-dimethylohexyl, 1 ,2-dimethyloheptyl, - 1 ,3-dimethyloheptyl, -3,3-dimethyloheptyl and the like.

The term„alkox refers to an alkyl substituent as defined above bound by an oxygen atom.

The term„perfluoroalkyf refers to an alkyl group as defined above in which all the hydrogen atoms have been substituted by the same or different halogen atoms.

The term „cycloalkyf refers to a saturated mono- or polycyclic hydrocarbon substituent having the indicated number of carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl substituents include -cyclopropyl, -cyclobutyl, - cyclopentyl, -cyclohexyl, -cycloheptyl, -cyclooctyl, -cyclononyl, -cyclodecyl and the like.

The term „alkenyf refers to a saturated, linear or branched non-cyclic hydrocarbon substituent of the indicated number of carbon atoms and containing at least one double carbon-carbon bond. Examples of alkenyl substituents include -vinyl, -allyl, -1 -butenyl, -2-butenyl, -isobutenyl, -1 -pentenyl, -2-pentenyl, -3- methylo-1 -butenyl, -2-methylo-2-butenyl, -2,3-dimethylo-2-butenyl, -1 -hexenyl, -2-hexenyl, -3-hexenyl, -1 - heptenyl, -2-heptenyl, -3-heptenyl, -1 -octenyl, -2-octenyl, -3-octenyl, -1 -nonenyl, -2-nonenyl, -3-nonenyl, - 1 -decenyl, -2-decenyl, -3-decenyl and the like.

The term „cycloalkenyf refers to a non-saturated mono- or polycyclic hydrocarbon substituent of the indicated number of carbon atoms and containing at least one double carbon-carbon bond. Examples of cycloalkenyl substituents include -cyclopentenyl, -cyclopentadienyl, -cyclohexenyl, -cyclohexadienyl, - cycloheptenyl, -cycloheptadienyl, -cycloheptatrienyl, -cyclooctenyl, -cyclooctadienyl, -cyclooctatrienyl, - cyclooctatetraenyl, -cyclononenyl, -cyclopentadienyl, -cyclodecenyl, -cyclodecadienyl and the like.

The term „alkynyf refers to a saturated, linear or branched non-cyclic hydrocarbon substituent of the indicated number of carbon atoms and containing at least one triple carbon-carbon bond. Examples of alkynyl substituents include -acetylenyl, -propynyl, -1 -butynyl, -2-butynyl, -1 -pentynyl, -2-pentynyl, -3- methyl-1 -butynyl, 4-pentynyl, -1 -hexynyl, 2-hexynyl, -5-hexynyl and the like.

The term „cycloalkynyf refers to a non-saturated mono- or polycyclic hydrocarbon substituent of the indicated number of carbon atoms and containing at least one triple carbon-carbon bond. Examples of cycloalkynyl substituents include -cyclohexnyl, -cycloheptynyl, -cyclooctynyl and the like.

The term„aryf refers to an aromatic mono- or polycyclic hydrocarbon substituent having the indicated number of carbon atoms. Examples of aryl substituents include -phenyl, -tolyl, -xylyl, -naphthyl, -2,4,6- t imethylphenyl, -2-fluorophenyl, -4-fluorophenyl, -2,4,6-trifluorophenyl, -2,6-difluorophenyl, -4-nitrophenyl and the like.

The term„aralkyf refers to an alkyl substituent as defined above substituted with at least one aryl as defined above. Examples of aralkyl substituents include -benzyl, -diphenylmethyl, -triphenylmethyl and the like.

The term „heteroaryf refers to an aromatic mono- or polycyclic hydrocarbon substituent having the indicated number of carbon atoms, in which at least one carbon atom is substituted by a heteroatom selected from O, N and S atoms. Examples of heteroaryl substituents include -furyl, -thienyl, -imidazolyl, - oxazolyl, -thiazolyl, -isoxazolyl, -triazolyl, -oxadiazolyl, -thiadiazolyl, -tetrazolyl, -pyridyl, -pyrimidyl, - triazinyl, -indolyl, -benzo[b]furyl, -benzo[b]thienyl, -indazolyl, -benzoimidazolyl, -azaindolyl, -quinolyl, - isoquinolyl, -carbazolyl and the like.

The term„heterocycle" refers to a saturated or partially non-saturated, mono- or polycyclic hydrocarbon substituent having the indicated number of carbon atoms, in which at least one carbon atom is substituted by a heteroatom selected from O, N and S atoms. Examples of heterocyclic substituents include furyl, thiophenyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrazolyl, isothiazolyl, triazinyl, pyrrolidinonyl, pyrrolidinyl, hydantoinyl, oxiranyl, oxetanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, chromonyl, coumarinyl, indolyl, indolizinyl, benzo[b]furanyl, benzo[b]thiophenyl, indazolyl, purinyl, 4 -/-quinolizinyl, isoquinolyl, quinolyl, phthalazinyl, naphthyridinyl, carbazolyl, β-carbolinyl and the like.

The term„neutral ligand' refers to a non-charged substituent capable of coordinating with a metallic centre (the ruthenium atom). Examples of such ligands may include: amines, phosphines and oxides thereof, alkyl and aryl phosphites and phosphates, arsines and oxides thereof, ethers, alkyl and aryl sulphides, coordinated hydrocarbons, alkyl and aryl halides.

The term „anionic ligand" refers to a substituent capable of coordinating with a metallic centre (the ruthenium atom) with a charge capable of partially or completely compensating the charge of the metallic centre. Examples of such ligands may include fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, cyanide, cyanate and thiocyanate anions, carboxylic acid anions, alcohol anions, phenolic anions, thiol and thiophenol anions, delocalised charge hydrocarbon anions (e.g. cyclopentadiene), (organo)sulphuric and (organo)phosphoric acid anions and esters thereof (such as, for example, alkylsulphonic and aryl sulphonic acid anions, alkylphosphoric and arylphosphoric acid anions, sulphuric acid alkyl and aryl ester anions, phosphoric acid alkyl and aryl ester anions, alkylphosphoric and arylphosphoric alkyl and aryl ester anions). Optionally, the anionic ligand may have interconnected L ¹ , L ² and L ³ groups, such as the catechol anion, the acetylacetone anion, the salicylaldehyde anion. Anionic ligands (X ¹ , X ² ) and neutral ligands (L ¹ , L ² , L ³ ) may be interconnected to form multidentate ligands, such as a bidentate ligand (X ¹ -X ² ), a tridentate ligand (X ¹ -X ² -L ¹ ), a tetradentate ligand (X ¹ -X ² -L ¹ -L ² ), a bidentate ligand (X ¹ -L ¹ ), a tridentate ligand (X ¹ -L ¹ -L ² ), a tetradentate ligand (X ¹ -L ¹ -L ² -L ³ ), a bidentate ligand (L ¹ -L ² ), a tridentate ligand (L ¹ -L ² -L ³ ). Examples of such ligands include catechol anion, acetylacetone anion and salicylaldehyde anion.

The term„heteroatom" refers to an atom selected from the group comprising an atom of oxygen, sulphur, nitrogen, phosphorus and the like.

The term _^ chlorinated solvent' refers to a solvent, the structure of which comprises at least one atom of for example fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine; preferably more than one. Examples of such solvents include dichloromethane, chloroform, tetrachloromethane (carbon tetrachloride), 1 ,2-dichloroethane, chlorobenzene, perfluorobenzene, perfluorotoluene, freons and the like.

The term„organic non-polar solvent' refers to a solvent characterised by non-existent or very low dipole momentum. Examples of such solvents include pentane, hexane, octane, nonane, decane, benzene, toluene, xylene and the like. The term„organic polar solvent refers to a solvent characterised by a dipole momentum substantially greater than zero. Examples of such solvents include dimethylformamide (DMF), tetrahydrofuran (THF) and its derivatives, diethyl ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, alcohols (MeOH, EtOH or /- PrOH) and the like.

The term„GC refers to gas chromatography.

The term„HPLC refers to high performance liquid chromatography, and solvents designated as„HPLC" solvents refer to solvents having sufficient purity for HPLC analysis.

The term„NMR' refers to nuclear magnetic resonance.

The term„NHC refers to /V-heterocyclic carbene.

The term„DEDAM' refers to diethyl diallylmalonate.

The term„DEAMAM' refers to diethyl allylmethylallylmalonate.

The term„DATA" refers to diallyltosylamide.

The term„precatalyst refers to, in relation to ruthenium complexes, a 16-electron chemical compound which, after the step of dissociation of one ligand or reorganisation of the molecule, is converted to the 14- electron olefin metathesis catalyst as such, which is active in the catalytic cycle.

Embodiments of the invention

The following examples are provided solely for the purpose of illustrating the invention and for clarifying the individual aspects thereof, and not with the intention to limit it, and should not be considered to be equivalent to the total scope thereof as defined in the appended claims. In the examples below, unless otherwise indicated, standard materials and methods were employed as used in the art or it was proceeded according to the manufacturer's recommendations for particular reagents and methods.

Example I

Preparation of 9-bromo-10-nitrophenanthrene

Modified reaction procedure: Ma et al., Org. Lett. 2003 5, 3317-3319, DOI : 10.1021 /ol035147k

To a vigorously stirred, hot (~ 80°C) solution of 9-bromophenanthrene (20.06 g, 0.075 mol) in a mixture of glacial acetic acid (22 ml_, 0.38 mol) and acetic anhydride (8.2 ml_, 0.086 mol), nitric acid (25 ml_, 0.353 mol) was slowly added dropwise. An orange-yellow solid precipitated. The mixture was heated for another 1 5 minutes and then poured into cold water. Subsequently, in order to neutralise the nitric acid, a saturated solution of NaHC0 ₃ was added. The mixture was filtered off, and the precipitate was washed with water until the filtrate became colourless. The precipitate was air dried and then recrystallised from acetone/methanol mixture. A product was obtained in the form of a dark yellow solid (10.6 g, 47%). Hint: In the next step, an incompletely purified product (over 70% purity) can be used. This facilitates the synthesis due to the low yield of the completely pure compound (-13% after several crystallisations). The product obtained according to the above procedure has a purity of more than 75% (up to -90%).

¹ H NMR (400 MHz. CDC ): δ = 8.64-8.71 (m, 2H), 8.45-8.40 (m, 1 H), 7.73-7.83 (m, 3H). 7.61 -7.71 (m, 2H).

¹³ C NMR (101 MHz. CDCU): δ = 130.7, 130.2, 129.5, 129.4, 128.9, 128.8, 128.6, 123.7, 123.2, 123.1 , 122.4, 1 13.2.

HRMS was calculated for C ₁₄ H ₉ BrN0 ₂ [M+H] ⁺ ; 301 .981 1 ; measured: 301 .9825, difference (ppm): 4.64.

Elemental analysis: calculated for C ₁₄ H ₈ BrN0 ₂ : C 55.66; H 2.67; Br 26.45; N 4.64; found: C 55.85; H 2.71 ; Br 26.51 ; N 4.58

Example II

Preparation of 9-nitro-10-phenylphenanthrene

2 3 The following were sequentially placed in a 25 mL round-bottomed flask: Pd(PPh ₃ ) ₂ CI ₂ (1 1 .6 mg, 2 mol%,

0.02 eq.), Cs ₂ C0 ₃ (539 mg, 1 .65 mmol, 2 eq.), PhB(OH) ₂ (1 56 mg, 1 .24 mmol, 1 .5 eq.) i 9-bromo-10- nitrophenanthrene (250 mg, 0.83 mmol, 1 eq.). The flask with the solid content was placed under reduced pressure and then filled with argon, that step was repeated three times, subsequently a solvent (10 mL degassed THF and 0.6 mL degassed distilled water) was added to the flask. The reaction mixture was heated at reflux overnight.

The resulting dark reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and THF was evaporated. A solid precipitated. Subsequently, the solid was filtered off, air dried and dissolved in the smallest possible volume of CH ₂ CI ₂ . The solution was filtered through a silica pad, washing with 5% EtOAc in c-hexane. The filtrate was evaporated to give a yellow solid which was recrystallised from the mixture of CH ₂ CI ₂ /heptane by means of a slow exchange of the solvent on a rotary evaporator to give a yellow microcrystalline solid (239 mg, 96%).

Hint: Since the purification of 9-bromo-10-nitrophenanthrene in crystallisation is cumbersome and inefficient, the second synthesis step can be carried out using a crude, untreated nitration product (if the mixture contains more than 70% of 9-bromo-10-nitrophenanthrene). In this case, the products of Suzuki coupling with other isomers are oiling out from the reaction mixture.

In a large-scale reaction Pd(PPh ₃ ) ₂ CI ₂ (162.6 mg, 2 mol%, 0.02 eq.), Cs ₂ C0 ₃ (7.63 g, 23.17 mmol, 2 eq.), PhB(OH) ₂ (2.18 g, 1 7.38 mmol, 1 ,5 eq.) and 9-bromo-10-nitrophenanthrene (3.5 g with 75% purity, 1 1 .58 mmol, 1 eq.) were weighed in 125 mL degassed THF and 7 mL degassed and distilled water) with the same reaction procedure being followed. Purification: the reaction mixture was extracted with CH ₂ CI ₂ , and after drying the solution with magnesium sulphate, SnatchCat (4.4 eq. to remove palladium) was used and subsequently filtered through a silica layer. After filtration and crystallisation, 2.42 g of a crystalline so lid was obtained (which represents 70% of the yield, based on the mixture mass, 94% yield based on the substrate).

¹ H NMR (400 MHz. CDCU): δ = 8.83-8.76 (m, 2H), 7.83-7.70 (m, 4H), 7.64-7.50 (m, 5H), 7.46-7.42 (m, 2H).

¹³ C NMR (101 MHz. CDCU): δ = 147.3, 133.9, 130.6, 130.5, 130.4, 130.2, 130.1 , 129.0, 128.8, 128.7, 128.6, 128.5, 128.4, 127.8, 123.1 , 123.0, 122.9, 122.8.

IR (diamond tip): v = 3061 , 6028, 2881 , 1642, 1 520, 1490, 1441 , 1377, 1238 cm ^"1 .

HRMS was calculated for C ₂ oH ₁₃ NNa0 ₂ [M+Na] ⁺ : 322.0839; found: 322.0850, difference (ppm): 3.42.

Melting point: 213.7-214.6 °C.

Elemental analysis: calculated for C ₂ oH ₁₃ N0 ₂ : C, 80.25; H, 4.38; N, 4.68. Found: C, 79.98; H, 4.35; N, 4.67.

Example III

Preparation of 10-phenylphenanthrene-9-amine

Modified preparation procedure according to Org. Synth. 1960, 40, 5, DOI:10.15227/orgsyn.040.0005 Reaction proceed without argon atmosphere on air

In a 500 mL round bottom flask 9-nitro-10-phenylphenanthrene (3 g, 10.02 mmol, 1 eq.) was dissolved in 200 mL ethanol. The solution was heated to 50°C. Pd/C (513 mg, 482 mmol, 5 mol%) was added to the hot mixture, and subsequently N ₂ H ₄ H ₂ 0 (2 mL, 41 .07 mmol, 4 eq.) was added portionwise. The mixture was refluxed for 16 hours, filtered through Celite, and then evaporated. The crude residue was dissolved in a small volume (approx. 20 mL) of hot methanol and allowed to slowly cool to room temperature, after which the mixture was placed in a refrigerator overnight. Next day, white needles of the product were filtered off and dried under reduced pressure (2.62 g, 96%).

1 H NMR (400 MHz. CDCU) : δ = 8.79-8.74 (m, 1 H)„ 8.66-8.62 (m, 1 H), 7.98-7.94 (m, 1 H), 7.72-7.63 (m, 2H), 7.61 -7.55 (m, 2H), 7.52-7.33 (m, 5H), 7.29-7.25 (m, 1 H), 3.98 (s, 2H, NhU _. ).

¹³ C NMR (101 MHz. CDCU): δ = 137.9, 136.7, 133.2, 131 .3, 130.8, 129.5, 127.8, 126.8, 126.7, 125.9, 125.3, 125.2, 123.4, 123.2, 122.5, 121 .7, 1 1 8.3.

IR (diamond tip): v = 3348, 3312, 3065, 3023, 1621 , 1 587, 1492, 1440, 1422, 1395, 1330 cm ^" ' .

HRMS was calculated for C ₂₀ H ₁₆ N [M+H] ⁺ : 270.1277; found: 270.1285, difference (ppm): 2.96.

Elemental analysis: calculated for C ₂₀ H ₁₅ N : C, 89.1 9; H, 5.61 ; N, 5.20; found: C, 89.38; H, 5.64; N, 5.08. Example IV

Preparation of 2-chloro-A/-(10-phenyl-9-phenanthryl)acetamide

Modified procedure: Powell et al., Org. Lett. 2004 6, 4069-4072, DOI: 10.1021 /ol048235t

To a suspension of K ₂ C0 ₃ (1 .95 g, 13.96 mmol, 2.5 eq.) in 100 mL of THF 10-phenylphenanthrene-9- amine (1 .5 g, 5.57 mmol, 1 eq.) was added, and the resulting mixture was stirred for 15 minutes. Then, chloroacetyl chloride (500 μΙ_, 6.15 mmol, 1 .1 eq.) was added dropwise. The progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC. At the end of the reaction (about 1 -2 h), the reaction mixture was filtered through a pad of celite, washed with THF and evaporated. The solid residue was dissolved in CH ₂ CI ₂ /hexane and filtered through a silica gel layer (washing with 15% EtOAc in hexane). The filtrate was evaporated, dissolved in a minimum volume of CH ₂ CI ₂ , heptane was added, and the product was crystallised by slow exchange of the solvent on a rotary evaporator to give 1 .82 g of a white solid (95%).

Hint: the amine is luminous blue under the UV lamp. If after 1 -2 hours the solution is luminous under UV light, add more chloroacetyl chloride in small portions until the colour under UV is no longer visible.

1 H NMR (400 MHz. CDCU): δ = 8.82 - 8.74 (m, 2H), 8.00 - 7.93 (m, 1 H), 7.90 (s, 1 H, NH), 7.77 - 7.63 (m, 3H), 7.58 - 7.44 (m, 5H), 7.39 - 7.29 (m, 2H), 4.04 (s, 2H, CHgCI).

¹³ C NMR (101 MHz. CDCU): δ = 166.0, 137.1 , 136.8, 131 .6, 130.9, 130.3, 129.6, 128.7, 128.7, 128.1 , 128.0, 127.8, 127.4, 127.3, 127.2, 126.9, 124.0, 123.1 , 122.7, 42.6.

IR (diamond tip): v = 3238. 3065, 3032, 1683, 1663, 1564, 1532, 1489, 1444, 1431 , 1327, 131 1 , 1248 cm ¹ . HRMS was calculated for C ₂₂ H ₁₇ CINO [M+H] ⁺ : 346.0993; found 346.0994, difference (ppm): 0.29.

Melting point: 223.5-223.7 °C.

Elemental analysis: calculated for C ₂₂ H ₁₆ CINO: C 76.41 ; H 4.66; CI 10.25; N 4.05; found: C 76.30; H 4.72; CI 10.31 ; N 3.94

Example V

Preparation of A^-benzyl-A/^d O-phenyl-g-phenanthrvDqlvcvnamide

To a hot, vigorously stirred solution of 2-chloro-/V-(1 0-phenyl-9-phenantryl)acetamide (1 .1 g, 3.03 mmol, 1 eq.) and K ₂ C0 ₃ (1 g, 7.22 mmol, 2.3 eq.) in THF, benzylamine (0.67 mL, 6.06 mmol, 2 eq.) was added. The mixture was refluxed for 16 hours. After cooling it to room temperature, the mixture was filtered through Celite and evaporated. The resulting oil was purified by chromatography (35% EtOAc in hexane) to give 1 .08 g of a white solid (86% yield).

¹ H NMR (400 MHz. CDCU): δ = 8.90 (s, 1 H, NHCO), 8.80 - 8.74 (m, 2H), 7.97 - 7.91 (m, 1 H), 7.75 - 7.59 (m, 3H), 7.51 - 7.27 (m, 10H), 7.18 - 7.1 1 (m, 2H), 3.38 (s, 2H, CHgNHCO), 3.35 (s, 2H, CHgNHs), 1 .70 (bs, 2H, NHg).

¹³ C NMR (101 MHz. CDCU): δ = 171 .5, 139.1 , 138.0, 136.2, 131 .9, 130.9, 130.1 , 129.8, 129.3, 129.2, 128.6, 128.6, 128.1 , 127.8, 127.6, 127.4, 127.2, 127.1 , 126.8, 126.7, 124.6, 122.9, 122.7, 53.4, 51 .8.

IR (diamond tip): v = 3332. 3061 , 2877, 2829, 1677, 1594, 1476, 1449, 1424, 1377, 1363, 1324 cm ^" ' .

HRMS was calculated for C ₂ 9H ₂₅ N ₂ 0 [M+H] ⁺ : 417.1961 ; found 417.1 954, difference (ppm): 1 .68

Melting point: 139.7-140.1 °C.

Elemental analysis: calculated for C ₂ 9H ₂₄ N ₂ 0: C, 83.63; H, 5.81 ; N, 6.73; found: C, 83.56; H, 5.74; N, 6.60.

Example VI

Preparation of A/-benzyl-/V-(10-phenyl-9-phenanthryl)ethylene-1 ,2-diamine

To a round bottom flask containing 1 g A^-benzyl-A/'-^ O-phenyl-g-phenanthrylJglycinamide (1 eq., 2.4 mmol) 60 ml_ of dry THF was added. The solution was cooled to 0°C and 549 mg LAH (6 eq., 14.5 mmol) was slowly added portionwise. The vigorously stirred suspension was warmed to room temperature and subsequently kept at boiling point temperature for 4 hours, the reaction progress was monitored by TLC. At the end of the reaction, the mixture was diluted with Et ₂ 0 and cooled to 0°C. Then, 0.6 ml_ of water, 0.6 ml_ of 15% NaOH and a further 1 .8 mL of water were slowly added dropwise. The mixture was warmed to room temperature, MgS0 ₄ was added, and it was stirred for 15 minutes. The mixture was stirred for another 15 minutes and then filtered through a pad of celite, evaporated to dryness and washed with Et ₂ 0 to give 0.96 g of a white solid (99% yield) which was used in the subsequent steps of synthesis without further purification.

¹ H NMR (400 MHz. CDCU): δ = 8.76 - 8.71 (m, 1 H), 8.67 (ddt, J = 8.3, 1 .3, 0.6 Hz, 1 H), 8.37 - 8.28 (m, 1 H), 7.74 - 7.57 (m, 2H), 7.56 - 7.21 (m, 1 1 H), 7.25 - 7.10 (m, 2H), 3.94 (s, 1 H), 3.65 (s, 2H), 3.17 (dd, J = 6.5, 5.1 Hz, 2H), 2.75 - 2.67 (m, 2H), 1 .57 (s, 2H).

¹³ C NMR (101 MHz. CDCU): δ = 141 .1 , 140.4, 137.8, 132.9, 131 .4, 130.9, 130.9, 129.2, 129.2, 128.4, 128.1 , 127.9, 127.9, 127.7, 127.5, 127.0, 126.7, 126.5, 125.1 , 124.6, 124.6, 123.1 , 122.5, 122.5, 53.6, 50.2, 49.4.

IR (diamond tip): v = 3298, 3025, 2948, 2855, 1587, 1450, 1379, 1325, 1234, 1 1 10, 1091 cm ^" ' .

HRMS was calculated for C ₂₉ H ₂₇ N ₂ [M+H] ⁺ : 403.2169; found 403.2164, difference (ppm): 1 .24. Elemental analysis: calculated for C29H26N2: C, 86.53; H, 6.51 ; N, 6.96; found: C, 86.70; H, 6.57; N, 6.84. Example VII

Preparation of 3-benzyl-1 -(10-phenyl-9-phenanthryl)-4,5-dihvdro-1 /-/-imidazol-3-yl chloride

To a flask containing A/-benzyl-/V-(10-phenyl-9-phenanthryl)ethan-1 ,2-diamine (1 .21 g, 3.0 mmol, 1 eq.) and ammonium chloride (0.35 g, 6.6 mmol, 2.2 eq.), triethyl orthoformate (10.2 ml_, 60 mmol, 20 eq.) was added. The mixture was heated to 120°C under gentle argon flow (to remove released ethanol). After 3 hours, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, and then Et ₂ 0 was added. The precipitate was filtered off and washed three times with Et ₂ 0. The precipitate was dried under reduced pressure. 1 .32 g of the expected product (yield 98%) was obtained.

¹ H NMR (400 MHz. CDCU): δ = 10.28 (s, 1 H), 8.73 (dd, J = 15.5, 8.1 Hz, 2H), 8.29 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1 H), 7.89 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 1 H), 7.77 (tdd, J = 8.3, 7.0, 1 .1 Hz, 2H), 7.70 - 7.41 (m, 6H), 7.34 (dd, J = 4.9, 1 .8 Hz, 3H), 7.21 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.09 (dd, J = 6.6, 2.9 Hz, 2H), 5.58 (d, J = 14.6 Hz, 1 H), 4.57 (d, J = 14.6 Hz, 1 H), 4.49 (ddd, J = 12.3, 10.8, 7.4 Hz, 1 H), 4.17 (q, J = 1 1 .5, 1 1 .1 Hz, 1 H), 3.61 (q, J = 1 1 .0, 1 0.4 Hz, 1 H), 3.44 (td, J = 1 1 .7, 7.4 Hz, 1 H).

¹³ C NMR (101 MHz. CDCU): δ = 160.2, 138.3, 135.5, 132.9, 132.0, 131 .2, 130.8, 130.8, 130.0, 128.9, 128.8, 128.8, 128.7, 128.6, 128.5, 128.5, 128.4, 128.4, 128.3, 128.0, 127.4, 127.2, 124.0, 122.9, 122.8, 52.5, 52.0, 48.0.

IR (diamond tip): v = 3026, 2856, 1642, 1626, 1491 , 1449, 1378, 1361 , 1324, 1272, 1249, 1233, 1210, 1 174, 1 1 16, 1083, 1029 cm ^"1 .

HRMS was calculated for C30H25N2 [M-CI] ⁺ : 413.2012; found 413.2007, difference (ppm): 1 .21 .

Elemental analysis: calculated for C30H25CIN2: C 80.25; H 5.61 ; CI 7.90; N 6.24; found: C, 80.01 ; H, 5.66; CI, 7.85; N, 6.19.

Example VIII

Preparation of dichloro(3-benzyl-1 -(10-phenyl-9-phenanthryl))-2-imidazolidinylidene)(o- isopropoxyphenylmethylene)ruthenium

213.4 mg imidazolinium salt (0.47 mmol, 1 .1 eq.) was placed in a Schlenk vessel and dried under reduced pressure at the temperature of 70°C for 30 minutes. The reaction vessel was then cooled to room temperature and toluene (20 mL) was added. 0.3 mL 25% KO'Am (1 .09 eq.) was added to the resulting suspension, and then, after a clear solution was formed (after about 1 minute), 259 mg of Hov-I complex (0.43 mmol, 1 eq.) was added, and the Schlenk vessel was placed in a heated oil bath. The progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC. After approx. 15 minutes, the Schlenk vessel with the reaction mixture was placed in an ice bath. After 5 minutes, 20 mL of n-hexane was added, and the mixture was purified by chromatography using eluent 0→10→20% EtOAc/hexane. The green fraction was collected and, after evaporation, the solid was recrystallised from the CH ₂ CI ₂ /MeOH mixture to give 1 66 mg as a brown-green solid (52% yield).

¹ H NMR (400 MHz. CDCU): 5 = 16.60 (s, 1 H), 8.92 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1 H), 8.80 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1 H), 8.13 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.79 (dt, J = 1 6.0, 8.1 Hz, 3H), 7.71 - 7.62 (m, 3H), 7.56 (dt, J = 16.7, 7.5 Hz, 3H), 7.44 (t, J = 6.6 Hz, 4H), 7.40 - 7.29 (m, 3H), 6.86 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1 H), 6.64 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 1 H), 6.24 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 1 H), 5.81 - 5.50 (m, 2H), 5.21 - 5.04 (m, 1 H), 3.80 (q, J = 1 1 .2, 9.9 Hz, 1 H), 3.47 - 3.33 (m, 2H), 3.10 (q, J = 12.8, 1 1 .1 Hz, 1 H), 1 .75 (d, J = 6.1 Hz, 6H).

¹³ C NMR (101 MHz. CDCU): δ = 289.8, 210.6, 152.8, 143.4, 138.2, 136.2, 135.9, 135.0, 133.3, 131 .8, 130.9, 130.7, 129.8, 129.7, 129.5, 129.3, 129.2, 128.8, 128.5, 128.3, 127.9, 127.9, 127.8, 127.4, 127.1 , 125.8, 122.8, 122.5, 122.3, 122.3, 1 12.8, 75.3, 56.2, 53.0, 47.6, 22.3, 22.2.

IR (diamond tip): v = 3059. 2987, 2889, 1587, 1572, 1472, 1436, 1419, 1381 , 1263, 1214, 1 1 10 cm ^" ' .

HRMS was calculated for C ₄ oH3 ₅ N ₂ ORu [M-HCI-CI] ⁺ : 661 .1 798; found 661 .1795, difference (ppm): 0.45.

Melting point: 230.5°C (decomposition).

Elemental analysis: calculated for C ₄ oH3 ₆ CI ₂ N ₂ ORu : C 65.57; H 4.95; CI 9.68; N 3.82; found: C, 65.53; H, 5.06; CI, 9.66; N, 3.85.

Example IX

RCM reaction profiles closing DEDAM, DEAMAM and DATA Et), NS0 ₂ C ₆ H ₄ lv1e

temperature

General procedure for preparing RCM reaction profiles monitored by ¹ H-NMR. All stock solutions and the test samples were prepared in a glove box under inert gas (argon). The diene stock solution was prepared as follows: 1 .166 mol of diene was weighed into a 10 mL volumetric flask. Then distilled, degassed dry CD ₂ CI ₂ was added to a volume of 10 mL. The solution was mixed.

600 μΙ_ of the diene stock solution was placed in a NMR tube with Young's tap. The stock solution of the precatalyst was prepared by weighing 7 pmol of the complex in a 1 mL volumetric flask and dissolving it in distilled, degassed dry CD ₂ CI ₂ to a volume of 1 mL. After mixing, the stock solution of the precatalyst (100 pL, 0.7 pmol) was added to the NMR tube, mixed and placed in an NMR device.

Measurement points were recorded during the reaction using Agilent's software (vnmj)„Array" function. The conversion was calculated by comparing the integration ratio of the methylene proton signals of the substrate and those of the product in line with the following equation:

[P] x 100%

Conversion(%) =

[P] + [S]

where: [P] integration of the methylene proton signal of the product;

integration of the methylene proton signal of the substrate;

Example X

Diastereoselective Ring Rearrangement Metathesis (dRRM) reactions

500 pL of durene solution and 100 pL of substrate solution in CDCI ₃ were inserted to an NMR tube equipped with a rubber septum (from which air was previously removed and which was filled with argon, the operation was repeated three times). The NMR tube was cooled to the temperature of 0°C, and ethylene gas was passed through the solution through a long needle over 5 minutes. Subsequently, the tube was shaken, re-cooled and the ethylene bubbling was repeated. The NMR tube was warmed to room temperature and the initial (P0) ¹ H-NMR spectrum was recorded. Subsequently, 100 pL of the precatalyst solution (5 mol%) was injected, the tube was shaken and thermostated at the temperature indicated in table 1 . After the reaction time indicated in table 1 , ¹ H-NMR spectrum (isomer ratio) was recorded, then the reaction was quenched (SnatchCat, 5 mg/mL, and then 500 pL CH ₂ CI ₂ to full volume of a 1 .5 mL vial), after which GC analysis was conducted (simultaneously monitoring the conversion and trans/cis isomer ratio). Table 1. Summary of dRRM reaction results

determined by GC using an internal standard - durene (1 ,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene).

determined by ¹ H-NMR and GC, trans/cis ratio

Example XI

Cross-metathesis (CM) reaction of allylbenzene and (Z)-1 ,4-diacetoxy-2-butendiol

2 rowowazniki 30 C

20 hours

mLTo a solution of allylbenzene (97.9 mg, 0.812 mmol, 1 10 mL) and c/ ^' s-1 ,4-diacetoxy-2-butendiol (297 mg, 1 .638 mmol, 275 mL) in methylene chloride (7 mL) the precatalyst solution (1 mol%, 8.12 μηιοΙ) in 1 mL of methylene chloride was added. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred at the temperature of 30°C for 20 hours. Then, the solution was evaporated, and the crude residue was purified by column chromatography (10% ethyl acetate in hexane). The product was obtained as a colourless oil (yields and isomer ratios are summarised in Table 2). The reaction was conducted according to the procedure [Organometallics, 2006, 25, 5740-5745].

Table 2. Summary of CM reaction results

Precatalyst

Item Yield [%] E/Z ratio

[Ru]

1 Ru-1 87 10.9:1

2 Ru-2 88 10.1 :1

3 Ru-3 91 9.9:1 Example XII

Reaction of ring-closing metathesis in alkenyne reaction

To a solution of alkenyne substrate (205.71 mg, 0.828 mmol) in dry CH ₂ CI ₂ (7 mL) the solution of the appropriate precatalyst (1 mol%) in dry CH ₂ CI ₂ (1 mL) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 30°C. At the end of the reaction (TLC monitoring, 6 hours) the solvent was evaporated, and the crude reaction product was purified by column chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate, 39:1 ) to give the product as a colourless oil (yields are summarised in Table 3).

Table 3. Summary of the alkenyne reaction results

Example XIII

Preparative-scale RCM reactions

mLTo a thermostated (at a temperature of 40°C) substrate solution (0.4 mmol) in methylene chloride (3.5 mL) the solution of the precatalyst (0.5 mol%, RCM) in methylene chloride (0.5 mL) was added. After 6 hours, the reaction was quenched with a 10 mg/mL SnatchCat solution (0.5 mL per 0.5 mol% of the precatalyst). The mixture was evaporated on silica gel, and the product-containing powder was purified by chromatography using an automated Combiflash ^® system.

Table 4. Results of reparative-scale RCM reactions

Example XIV

Preparative-scale CM reactions

mLTo a thermostated (at a temperature of 40°C) substrate solution (0.8 mmol) in methylene chloride (7 mL) the solution of the precatalyst (1 mol%, CM) in methylene chloride (1 mL) was added. After 20 hours, the reaction was quenched with a 10 mg/mL SnatchCat solution (1 mL per 0.5 mol% of the precatalyst). The mixture was evaporated on silica gel, and the product-containing powder was purified by chromatography using an automated Combiflash ^® system.

Table 5. Results of preparative-scale CM reactions

E/Z

Item Substrates Product [Ru] Yield [%]

ratio

Ru-1 84 9:1

1 T' Ru-2 75 6.5:1

Ru-3 85 8.6:1

Example XV

Stability tests of ruthenium complexes in solution in an inert gas atmosphere

In a glove box, 12.8 mmol of ruthenium complex was placed in an NMR tube, dissolved in 0.7 ml_ CD ₂ CI ₂ , after which 50 mL of 1 ,3,5-trimethoxybenzene solution (internal standard, stock solution prepared from 128 μηιοΙ of 1 ,3.5 -trimethoxybenzene and 1 mL of CD ₂ CI ₂ ) was added. The NMR tube was sealed with a stopper and the contents were shaken. After recording the ¹ H NMR spectrum at zero point, the NMR tube was heated for one month in a water bath (at the temperature of 40°C). Further spectra were recorded at appropriate time intervals (1 -2 days from the beginning). The results of this experiment are presented in Fig. 7.

Example XVI

Stability/onset rapidity tests of ruthenium complexes in solution in an ethylene atmosphere

The sample was prepared according to the protocol of Example XV. The ¹ H NMR spectrum was recorded at„0", at the temperature of 40°C. Then, a NMR tube with open Young's tap was placed in an autoclave. The autoclave was blown three times with inert gas (cycle: argon 2 bar pressure, releasing excess gas to atmospheric pressure), and then three times with ethylene (up to 20 bar pressure). The chamber was then filled with ethylene (20 bar) and allowed to stand for 20 minutes under dynamic gas pressure. Afterwards, excess gas was released, and the tap on the NMR tube was closed. The contents were mixed.

¹ H NMR were recorded during the reaction using Agilent's software (vnmj) „Array" function at the temperature of 40°C over 1 1 hours. The disappearance of the benzylidene precatalyst signal (δ = approx. 1 6 to 17 ppm) relative to the signal of the internal standard (1 ,3,5-trimethoxybenzene, aromatic signals δ = 6.08 ppm) was recorded.

The results of this experiment are presented in Fig. 8.

Example XVII

Ethenolvsis of ethyl oleate

1-decene

(E,Z)-9-octadecene-l,18-diethyl dicarboxylate

(E,Z)-9-octadecene

Ethyl oleate was passed through a thin layer (2cm) of neutral alumina (Alfa Aesar, alumina, activated, neutral, Brockmann Grade I, 58 A, 60 Mesh Powder, S.A. 150 m ² /g) and placed in a glass reactor. Subsequently, tetradecane (0.8 mL, Sigma Aldrich) was added. The mixture was well mixed and a point zero sample (1 -2 drops at the tip of the Pasteur pipette) was taken. The solution of the precatalyst (in dry CH ₂ CI ₂ ) previously prepared in another vessel was added in one portion to the reactor (0.1 mL, 500 ppm). A previously heated autoclave (to 50°C) was closed and connected to the ethylene line. The reactor was washed with 3 x 10 bar ethylene gas (ethylene with a purity of 3.0 → 99.9%, Linde), and then the pressure was raised to 1 0 bar ethylene dynamic pressure. After 3 hours of stirring, the reactor was cooled in an ice bath (over 2 min), the pressure was reduced, the reactor was opened and the sample (1 mL) of the reaction mixture was quenched with 4 mL of ethylvinyl ether solution in CH ₂ CI ₂ (C = 2 M). 0.2 mL sample of quenched mixture 0.8 mL of CH ₂ CI ₂ was added and it was analysed by GC. For experimental results, see fig. 9a.

Example XVIII

Ethenolvsis of carophyllene

μίΤο a solution of caryophyllene (90 mg, 0.1 mL, 0.434 mmol) in methylene chloride (4 mL) 100 μί of the precatalyst solution in methylene chloride (complex volume: see table) was added. The autoclave was blown three times with ethylene, and then the reaction mixture was heated to the temperature of 40°C under 1 0 bar dynamic ethylene pressure over 1 hour. After an hour, the autoclave was cooled to the temperature of 0°C on ice (5 minutes). The cooled reaction mixture was quenched with SnatchCat (Apeiron) solution . After 1 5 minutes of stirring, 1 0 mL of hexane was added. The solution was filtered through a layer of silica gel, which was then washed with a solution of 25% (v/v) methylene chloride in hexane. The filtrate was evaporated. A colourless oil was obtained. The composition of the sample (product to substrate ratio) was calculated based on the ratio of the signals in the ¹ H NMR spectrum.

Table 6. Results of the caryophyllene ethenolysis reaction

Conditions

Precat.

complex volume, ethylene pressure Conversion [%] TON TOF [1 /h]

[Ru]

(purity), temperature, concentration, time

0.5 mol%, 1 0 bar (3.0)

Ru-3 1 00 200 200

40°C, 0.1 M, 1 h

0.5 mol%, 1 0 bar (3.0)

Ru-1 55 92 92

40°C, 0.1 M, 1 h

0.5 mol%, 1 0 bar (3.0)

Ru-4 79 1 54 1 54

40°C, 0.1 M, 1 h

0.5 mol%, 1 0 bar (3.0)

Ru-3 room temp., 1 00 1 88 1 88

0.1 M, 1 h Conditions

Precat.

complex volume, ethylene pressure Conversion [%] TON TOF [1 /h] [Ru]

(purity), temperature, concentration, time

0.1 mol%, 10 bar (3.0)

Ru-3 100 953 953

40°C, 0.1 M, 1 h

0.1 mol%, 10 bar (3.0)

Ru-3 room temp., 72 686 686

0.1 M, 1 h

0,05% mol, 10 bar (3.0)

Ru-3 100 1797 1797

40°C, 0.1 M, 1 h

0,05% mol, 10 bar (3.0)

Ru-1 4 81 81

40°C, 0.1 M, 1 h

0,05% mol, 10 bar (3.0)

Ru-4 20 404 404

40°C, 0.1 M, 1 h

0,05% mol, 10 bar (3.0)

Ru-3 room temp., 47 845 845

0.1 M, 1 h

0,01 % mol, 10 bar (3.0)

Ru-3 32 2876 2876

40°C, 0.1 M, 1 h

SM,

0,025% mol, 10 bar (3.0) polymerisation

Ru-3 40°C, no solvent, products, - - 1 h no full

conversion

SM,

0,01 % mol, 10 bar (3.0) polymerisation

Ru-3 40°C, no solvent, products, - - 1 h no full

conversion

0,025% mol, 10 bar (4.5)

Ru-3 68 2715 905

40°C, 0.4 M, 3 h

0,025% mol, 10 bar (4.5)

Ru-1 33 1316 439

40°C, 0.4 M, 3 h

0,025% mol, 10 bar (4.5)

Ru-4 49 1965 655

40°C, 0.4 M, 3 h Example XIX

1 -octene homometathesis selectivity, analysis of the isomerisation versus olefin metathesis processes

[Ru] 500 ppm

No solvent 80°C

1 .5 mL (9.37 mmol, 1 eq.) of 1 -octene and 0.5 mL (1 .9 mmol, 0.2 eq) of tetradecane as the internal standard were placed in a Schlenk vessel. The zero point sample (2-3 drops at the tip of the Pasteur pipette) was taken. The mixture was heated to the temperature of 80°C and then 500 ppm (0.0005 eq., 0.05 mol%) of the precatalyst was added. Samples were taken at different times (1 0 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 24 h), and quenched using SnatchCat solution in methylene chloride. The samples thus obtained were examined using a gas chromatograph with a flame detector (FID). For results, see fig. 10a and 10b.