Z-Selective Olefin Metathesis Processes and Cis/Syndioselective ROMP with High Oxidation State Molybdenum Alkylidenes

Chapter 1 Reaction of W(CCMe 3)Cl 3(dme) with one equivalent of (3,5-Me 2C6H3NCH 2CH 2)3N)Li3 affords yellow, crystalline W(CCMe 3)(N3N) in good yield. The reactivity of this new alkylidyne complex towards terminal alkynes was investigated. Two other new tungsten alkylidynes, W(CCMe 3)(pyr) 3 (pyr = 2,5-dimethylpyrrolide) and W(CCMe3)(Ph 2N)3 were prepared by the addition of three equivalents of lithium dimethylpyrrolide or lithium diphenylamide, respectively, to W(CCMe 3)Cl 3(dme). The reactivity of these new alkylidynes with various alcohols is reported. The reactivity of several tungsten alkylidyne compounds towards ligand displacement by surface silanols is reported, resulting in the synthesis of several new silicasupported tungsten alkylidynes. The alkyne metathesis activity of all new homogeneous and heterogeneous alkylidyne complexes is reported. Chapter 2 Addition of one equivalent of 2,4,6,2',4',6'-hexaisopropylterphenol to Mo(NAd)(CHCMe 2Ph)(pyr)2 results in the formation of Mo(NAd)(CHCMe 2Ph)(pyr)(HIPTO) (HIPTO = hexaisopropylterphenoxide). This new alkylidene compound was found to catalyze the metathesis of 1-hexene in 20% yield to 95% cis 5-decene, which represents the first report of highly Z-selective metathesis homocoupling of a terminal olefin. The decomposition of the catalyst in the presence of ethylene is explored. The syntheses of several new bulky achiral phenoxide ligands are presented, along with the syntheses of the corresponding MAP (monoalkoxide monopyrrolide) molybdenum imido alkylidene compounds. The reactivity of new MAP compounds containing bulky phenoxide ligands towards the Z-selective metathesis of terminal and internal olefins is presented. The cis-selectivity of this system is proposed to arise from the combination of a relatively small imido ligand in conjunction with a very bulky alkoxide forcing the substituents of the substrate to point in this same direction with each insertion. Photolysis of MAP compounds with 366 nm radiation was found to produce significant amounts of anti alkylidenes, and the kinetics of decay of unstable anti alkylidenes are investigated.