Method for in-situ formation of metathesis catalysts

Abstract

Synthetic methods for the in-situ formation of olefin metathesis catalysts are disclosed, as well as the use of such catalysts in metathesis reactions of olefins and olefin compounds. In one aspect, a method is provided for synthesizing an organometallic compound of the formula comprising contacting a precursor compound of the formula (XXMLLL)with an acetylenic compound comprising a chelating moiety, optionally, in the presence of a neutral electron donor, wherein M is a Group 8 transition metal, L, L, L, and Lare neutral electron donors, Xand Xare anionic ligands, j is 1, 2, or 3; k is zero, 1, or 2; m is zero or 1; n is 1 or 2; and i is an integer; with the proviso that k is zero when the precursor compound is contacted with the acetylenic compound in the presence of the neutral electron donor, and Rand Rare independently selected from hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl, substituted heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl, and functional groups, wherein Rand Rare linked and together form one or more cyclic groups, Rand Lare linked and together form one or more cyclic groups, and any other two or more of X, X, L, L, L, R, and Rcan be taken together to form one or more cyclic groups. The invention has utility in the fields of catalysis, organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, and industrial and fine chemicals chemistry.