SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NEW RUTHENIUM-BASED OLEFIN METATHESIS CATALYSTS COORDINATED WITH BIDENTATE SCHIFF-BASE LIGANDS

A novel series of Schiff-base-substituted ruthenium carbene complexes have been prepared by the treatment of RuCl2(=CHPh)(PCy3)(2) with a va riety of Schiff-base ligands as the thallium salts. Modification of th e Schiff-base electronic and/or structural substituents allowed for th e tuning of the complexes activities in olefin metathesis reactions. T he structures of the complexes were unambiguously characterized by NMR studies and X-ray analysis. These newly prepared complexes are highly stable to air, moisture, and temperature and even exhibit catalytic a ctivity in polar protic solvents.