New Complexes of Ruthenium, Method for Their Preparation, and Their Application in Olefin Metathesis Reactions

The invention concerns new ruthenium complexes which act as (pre)catalysts, a method for their preparation, and their application in olefin metathesis reactions. This invention is used in organic synthesis in a broad sense.

In applications of olefin metathesis in organic synthesis, significant progress has been made in recent years. In the state of the art, a number of carbene complexes of ruthenium are known which act as (pre)catalysts and which display both high activity in various types of metathesis reaction and broad tolerance of functional groups. The above combination of properties makes this type of (pre)catalyst suitable in organic synthesis.

From the point of view of practical application, particularly on an industrial scale, it is highly desirable for such ruthenium complexes to be stable over a long period at an elevated temperature and to be stored and/or purified and/or used without a protective gas atmosphere.

Complexes of ruthenium with such properties are already known (see: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 8168-8179; Tetrahedron Lett. 2000, 41, 9973-9976), although it has turned out that better stability is linked with reduced catalytic activity. This type of limitation was found in the case of the (pre)catalyst with formula 2, in which Mes denotes 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl (for a comparison of catalytic activity, see Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2002, 114, 832-834).

Then, (pre)catalysts are described with formulae 3 and 4, which show higher catalytic activity in comparison with the (pre)catalyst of formula 2.

Catalysts 2, 3, and 4 contain an isopropoxyl group which chelates an atom of the metal. The higher activity of arrangements 3 and 4 is explained by the spatial hindrance introduced by the adjacency of the phenyl group or (substituted) naphthyl group in the ortho position in relation to the isopropoxyl group (see Angew. Chemie Int. Ed. 2002, 114, 832-834; Angew. Chemie Int. Ed. 2002, 114, 2509-2511).

Then, other catalysts are also described with formulae 5a, 5b, 6a, and 6b, in which Cy denotes cyclohexyl.

Unexpectedly, it was found that new complexes of ruthenium in accordance with the invention presented in formula 1:

which contain a chelate ring created by a halogen atom are thermally stable and display good catalytic activity. In addition, these compounds display significant changes in activity as a function of temperature, which may be applied to control catalytic processes by changing the temperature of a reaction mixture. Known catalytic arrangements have not shown significant changes in catalytic activity as a function of temperature.

Complexes with formula 1, in accordance with the invention, are applied broadly. With a good result, numerous reactions can be carried out consisting not only in ring-closing metathesis but also in homometathesis, cross metathesis and metathesis of the alkene-alkyne (ene-yne) type, and ring-opening metathesis polymerisation (ROMP).

Thus, the synthesis of compounds that contain the double C═C bond and other functional groups, when the new catalysts in accordance with the invention are applied, proceeds with a very good result.

When such new complexes are applied in accordance with the invention as (pre)catalysts, the temperature of the reaction can be increased and/or, at the same time, the duration of the reaction can be increased in comparison with those conditions necessary when other known catalysts are used. In this way, there is an improvement both in yield and in the technical opportunity for carrying out the reaction.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide new complexes of ruthenium with formula 1:

in which:

• L¹denotes an inert ligand;
• Z¹and Z²denote, independently, an anion ligand;
• X denotes a halogen atom;
• R¹denotes an atom of hydrogen, a halogen atom, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkenyl C₂-C₁₂alkynyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkynyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxyl, C₅-C₂₀aryl, C₅-C₂₀heteroaryl, or 3-12-membered heterocycle;
• A denotes a bivalent radical selected from a group comprising C₁-C₁₂alkylene, C₂-C₁₂alkenylene, C₂-C₁₂alkynylene, C₅-C₂₀arylene, or C₅-C₂₀heteroarylene, in which the C₁-C₁₂alkylene, the C₂-C₁₂alkenylene, the C₂- C₁₂alkynylene, the C₅-C₂₀arylene, and the C₅-C₂₀heteroarylene may be optionally substituted with at least one functional group R²;
• each R²functional group denotes, independently, a halogen atom, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkynyl, —OR³, —SR³, —S(O)_mR³, —SO₂NR³R⁴, —S(O)₂OR³, —NO₂, —NO, —SCN, —NR³R⁴, —CN, —C(O)R³, —OC(O)R³, —O(CR³R⁴)_nR⁵, —NR³C(O)R⁴, —(CR³R⁴)_nC(O)OR⁵, —(CR³R⁴)_nOR⁵, —C (═NR³)NR⁴R⁵, —NR³C(O)NR⁴R⁵, —NR³S(O)_pR⁴, —NC(═O)R³C(═O)R⁴, —NR³P (═O)R⁴R⁵, —NR³As(═O) R⁴R⁵, —PR³R⁴, —POR³R⁴, —POR³OR⁴, —P(═O)R³R⁴, —P(═O)OR³R⁴, —P(═O)OR³OR⁴, —AsR³R⁴, —AsOR³R⁴, —AsOR³OR⁴, —As(═O)R³R⁴, —As(═O)OR³R⁴, —As(═O)OR³OR⁴, —NR³—C(═NR⁴)NR⁵R⁶, —C(═) R³, —C(═O)OR³, —C(═S)OR³, —C(═O)SR³, —C(═S)SR³, —C(═S)NR³R⁴, —SiR³R⁴R⁵, —SiOR³R⁴R⁵, —SiOR³OR⁴R⁵, —SiOR³OR⁴OR⁵, —(CR³R⁴)_n(3-12-membered heterocycle) , —(CR³R⁴)_n(C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl), —(CR³R⁴)_n(C₅-C₂₀aryl), —(CR³R⁴)_n(5-12-membered heteroaryl), —(CR³R⁴)_nC(O)NR⁵R⁶, or —(CR³R⁴)_nC(O)R⁵;
• and/or R²groups with adjacent atoms may bond together, creating C₅-C₂₀aryl or 3-12-membered heterocycle; and/or R²groups with adjacent atoms may bond with the R¹group, creating C₅-C₂₀aryl, indenylene, heteroindenylene, 3-12-membered heterocycle, and polycyclic or heteropolycyclic arrangements, whilst the C₅-C₂₀aryl, indenylene, heteroindenylene, 3-12-membered heterocycle, and polycyclic or heteropolycyclic arrangements may be substituted with at least one functional group selected from the group comprising a halogen atom, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkynyl, —OR³, —SR³, —S(O)_mR³, —SO₂NR³R⁴, —S(O)₂OR³, —NO₂, —NO, —SCN, —NR³R⁴, —CN, —C(O)R³, —OC(O)R³, —O(CR³R⁴)_nR⁵, —NR³C(O)R⁴, —(CR³R⁴)_nC(O)OR⁵, —(CR³R⁴)_nOR⁵, —C(═NR³)NR⁴R⁵, —NR³C(O)NR⁴R⁵, —NR³S(O)_pR⁴, —NC(═O)R³C(═O) R⁴, —NR³P(═O)R⁴R⁵, —NR³As(═O)R⁴R⁵, —PR³R⁴, —POR³R⁴, —POR³OR⁴, —P(═O)R³R⁴, —P(═O) OR³R⁴, —P(═O)OR³OR⁴, —AsR³R⁴, —AsOR³R⁴, —AsOR³OR⁴, —As(═O)R³R⁴, —As(═O)OR³R⁴, —As(═O)OR³OR⁴, —NR³—C(═NR⁴)NR⁵R⁶, —C(═O)R³, —C(═O)OR³, —C(═S)OR³, —C(═O)SR³, —C(═S)SR³, —C(═S)NR³R⁴, —SiR³R⁴R⁵, —SiOR³R⁴R⁵, —SiOR³OR⁴R⁵, —SiOR³OR⁴OR⁵, —(CR³R⁴)_n(3-12-membered heterocycle) , —(CR³R⁴)_n(C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl) , —(CR³R⁴)_n(C₅-C₂₀aryl), —(CR³R⁴)_n(5-12-membered heteroaryl), —(CR³R⁴)_nC(O)NR⁵R⁶, or —(CR³R⁴)_nC(O)R⁵;
• each functional group R³, R⁴, R⁵, and R⁶denotes, independently, an atom of hydrogen, a halogen atom, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkynyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₅-C₂₀aryl, 5-12-membered heterocycle;
• each m denotes, independently, 0, 1, or 2;
• each n denotes, independently, 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4;
• each p denotes, independently, 1 or 2.

In one embodiment of the invention, R¹in formula 1 denotes an atom of hydrogen, whilst

• anion ligands Z¹and Z²denote, independently, a halogen atom, the group —CN, —SCN, —OR¹³, —SR¹³, —O(C═O)R¹³, —O(SO₂)R¹³, —OSiR₃¹³, where R¹³denotes C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, or C₅-C₂₀aryl, which may be optionally substituted with at least one C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂perhalogenalkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxyl, or a halogen atom; and
• the inert ligand L¹is selected from a group comprising —P(R⁷)₃, —P(OR⁷)₃, or an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand with formula 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h, 7i, 7j, 7k, 7l, 7m, 7n, 7o, or 7p:

where:

• each R²denotes, independently, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₅-C₂₀aryl, or 5-12-membered heteroaryl;
• each R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹²denote, independently, an atom of hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, or C₅-C₂₀aryl, which may be optionally substituted with at least one C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂perhalogenalkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxyl, or a halogen atom;
• the groups R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹²may optionally bond with each other and
• X¹and X²denote, independently, a halogen atom.

The carbene ligands may be coordinated classically, as in structures 7a-7h, or non-classically (‘abnormal carbenes’, see Chem. Rev. 2009, 109, 3445), as in structures 7i-7p.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the anion ligands Z¹and Z²in formula 1 denote an atom of chlorine; and

• X denotes an atom of bromine or iodine; and
• A denotes 1,2-phenylene, 1,2-naphthylene, 2,3-naphthylene or 1,8-naphthylene, which may be substituted with at least one functional group selected from a group comprising —NO₂, —NMe₂; and
• the inert ligand L¹denotes a ligand with formula 7a or 7b;

in which the functional groups R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, and R¹¹may have the meaning described above.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, the anion ligands Z¹and Z²in formula 1 denote an atom of chlorine; and X denotes an atom of bromine or iodine; and A denotes 1,2-phenylene, 1,2-naphthylene, 2,3-naphthylene or 1,8-naphthylene, which may be substituted with at least one functional group selected from a group comprising —OMe, Me and the inert ligand denotes a ligand with formula 7a or 7b as listed above.

An object of the invention is also to provide a method of preparing ruthenium complexes with formula 1, which comprises the reaction of the compound of formula 9

in which R¹⁴and R¹⁵denote, independently, an atom of hydrogen or the alkyl group C₁-C₁₂;

• R¹denotes hydrogen, a halogen atom, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkynyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkynyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxyl, C₅-C₂₀aryl, C₅-C₂₀heteroaryl, or 3-12-membered heterocycle;
• X denotes a halogen atom;
• A denotes a bivalent radical selected from a group comprising C₁-C₁₂alkylene, C₂-C₁₂alkenylene, C₂-C₁₂alkynylene, C₅-C₂₀arylene, or C₅-C₂₀heteroarylene, in which the C₁-C₁₂alkylene, the C₂-C₁₂alkenylene, the C₂-C₁₂alkynylene, the C₅-C₂₀arylene, and the C₅-C₂₀heteroarylene may be optionally substituted with at least one functional group R²;
• each R²functional group denotes, independently, a halogen atom, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkynyl, —OR², —SR², —SO₂NR³R⁴, —S(O)₂OR², —NO₂, —NO, —SCN, —NR³R⁴, —CN, —C(O)R³, —OC(O)R³, —O(CR³R⁴)_nR⁵, —NR³C(O)R⁴, —(CR³R⁴)_nC(O)OR⁵, —(CR³R⁴)_nOR⁵, —C(═NR³)NR⁴R⁵, —NR³C(O)NR⁴R⁵, —NR³S(O)_pR⁴, —NC(═O)R³C(═O)R⁴, —NR³P(═O)R⁴R⁵, —NR³As(═O)R⁴R⁵, —PR³R⁴, —POR³R⁴, —POR³OR⁴, —P(═O)R³R⁴, —P(═O)OR³R⁴, —P(═O)OR³OR⁴, —AsR³R⁴, —AsOR³R⁴, —AsOR³OR⁴, —As(═O)R³R⁴, —As(═O)OR³R⁴, —As(═O)OR³OR⁴, —NR³—C(═NR⁴)NR⁵R⁶, —C(═O)R³, —C(═O)OR³, —C(═S)OR³, —C(═O)SR³, —C(═S) SR³, —C(═S)NR³R⁴, —SiR³R⁴R⁵, —SiOR³R⁴R⁵, —SiOR³OR⁴R⁵, —SiOR³OR⁴OR⁵, —(CR³R⁴)_n(3-12-membered heterocycle) , —(CR³R⁴)_n(C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl), —(CR³R⁴)_n(C₅-C₂₀aryl), —(CR³R⁴)_n(5-12-membered heteroaryl) , —(CR³R⁴)_nC(O)NR⁵R⁶, or —(CR³R⁴)_nC(O)R⁵;
• and/or R²groups with adjacent atoms may bond together, creating C₅-C₂₀aryl or 3-12-membered heterocycle;
• and/or R²groups with adjacent atoms may bond with the R¹group, creating C₅-C₂₀aryl, indenylene, heteroindenylene, 3-12-membered heterocycle, and polycyclic or heteropolycyclic arrangements, whilst the C₅-C₂₀aryl, indenylene, heteroindenylene, 3-12-membered heterocycle, and polycyclic or heteropolycyclic arrangements may be substituted with at least one functional group selected from the group comprising a halogen atom, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkynyl, —OR³, —SR³, —S(O)_mR³, —SO₂NR³R⁴, —S(O)₂OR³, —NO₂, —NO, —SCN, —NR³R⁴, —CN, —C(O) R³, —OC(O)R³, —O(CR³R⁴)_nR⁵, —NR³C(O)R⁴, —(CR³R⁴)_nC(O)OR⁵, —(CR³R⁴)_nOR⁵, —C(═NR³)NR⁴R⁵, —NR³C(O)NR⁴R⁵, —NR³S(O)_pR⁴, —NC(═O)R³C(═O)R⁴, —NR³P(═O)R⁴R⁵, —NR³As(═O)R⁴R⁵, —PR³R⁴, —POR³R⁴, —POR³OR⁴, —P(═O)R³R⁴, —P(═O)OR³R⁴, —P(═O)OR³OR⁴, —AsR³R⁴, —AsOR³R⁴, —AsOR³OR⁴, —As(═O)R³R⁴, —As(═O)OR³R⁴, —As(═O)OR³OR⁴, —NR³—C(═NR⁴)NR⁵R⁶, —C(═O)R³, —C(═O)OR³, —C(═S)OR³, —C(═O)SR³, —C(═S)SR³, —C(═S)NR³R⁴, —SiR³R⁴R⁵, —SiOR³R⁴R⁵, —SiOR³OR⁴R⁵, —SiOR³OR⁴OR⁵, —(CR³R⁴)_n(3-12-membered heterocycle), —(CR³R⁴)_n(C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl), —(CR³R⁴)_n(C₅-C₂₀aryl), —(CR³R⁴)_n(5-12-membered heteroaryl) , —(CR³R⁴)_nC(O)NR⁵R⁶, or —(CR³R⁴)_nC(O)R⁵;
• each functional group R³, R⁴, R⁵, and R⁶denotes, independently, an atom of hydrogen, a halogen atom, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkynyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₅-C₂₀aryl, 5-12-membered heterocycle; each m denotes, independently, 0, 1, or 2;
• each n denotes, independently, 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4;
• each p denotes, independently, 1 or 2;
  with a ruthenium carbene complex of formula 11a, 11b, 11c, or 11d:

in which

• L¹, L², and L³denote, independently, an inert ligand;
• Z¹and Z²denote, independently, an anion ligand;
• R¹⁶has the same meaning as R¹in formula 9;
• R¹⁷denotes an atom of hydrogen, C₅-C₂₀aryl, C₅-C₂₀heteroaryl, vinyl, or allenyl.

Advantageously, the reaction between the compound of formula 9 and the ruthenium complex of formula 11a, 11b, 11c, or 11d is carried out in the presence of anhydrous halogen salts of copper(I) such as CuCl or CuBr, or in the presence of Brønsted acids such as H₂SO₄, HCl, HNO₃, H₃PO₄, sulphonated polymers (Nafion-H), or other acids bonded with a fixed substrate, in a solvent.

Advantageously, the reaction is carried out at a temperature in the range of 0-120° C.

Advantageously, the reaction is carried out in a chlorinated solvent or in aromatic hydrocarbons or in protic or aprotic solvents such as alcohol or ketone or in mixtures thereof.

Advantageously, the reaction is carried out in a solvent such as methylene chloride and/or toluene.

The invention also concerns the application and use of the ruthenium complexes defined in formula 1 as (pre)catalysts in metathesis reactions.

Advantageously, ruthenium complexes with formula 1 are used as (pre)catalysts in ring-opening metathesis reactions, homometathesis, cross-metathesis, alkene-alkyne (ene-yne) type metathesis, ring-closing metathesis and ROMP-type polymerisation reactions.

The term halogen atom denotes an element selected from F, Cl, Br, and I.

The term carbene denotes a molecule containing an inert atom of carbon with a valence number of two and two unpaired valence electrons. The term carbene also denotes carbene analogues in which the carbon atom is replaced with another chemical element such as boron, silicon, germanium, tin, lead, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, selenium, and tellurium.

The term alkyl relates to a saturated, linear, or branched functional hydrocarbon group with an indicated number of atoms of carbon. Examples of an alkyl functional group are -methyl, -ethyl, -n-propyl, -n-butyl, -n-pentyl, -n-hexyl, -n-heptyl, -n-octyl, -n-nonyl, and -n-decyl. Representative branched —(C₁-C₁₀) alkyls include -iso-propyl, -sec-butyl, -iso-butyl, -tert-butyl, -iso-pentyl, -neopentyl, -1-methylbutyl, -2-methylbutyl, -3-methylbutyl, -1,1-dimethylpropyl, -1,2-dimethylpropyl, -1-methylpentyl, -2-methylpentyl, -3-methylpentyl, -4-methylpentyl, -1-ethylbutyl, -2-ethylbutyl, -3-ethylbutyl, -1,1-dimethylbutyl, -1,2-dimethylbutyl, -1,3-dimethylbutyl, -2,2-dimethylbutyl, -2,3-dimethylbutyl, -3,3-dimethylbutyl, -1-methylhexyl, -2-methylhexyl, -3-methylhexyl, -4-methylhexyl, -5-methylhexyl, -1,2-dimethylpentyl, -1,3-dimethylpentyl, -1,2-dimethylhexyl, -1,3-dimethylhexyl, -3,3-dimethylhexyl, -1,2-dimethylheptyl, -1,3-dimethylheptyl, and -3,3-dimethylheptyl, and similar.

The term alkoxyl refers to an alkyl functional group as defined above connected using an oxygen atom.

The term perfluoroalkyl denotes an alkyl group as defined above in which all atoms of hydrogen are replaced with the same or different halogen atoms.

The term cycloalkyl refers to a saturated monocyclic or polycyclic functional hydrocarbon group with an indicated number of carbon atoms. Examples of a cycloalkyl functional group are -cyclopropyl, -cyclobutyl, -cyclopentyl, -cyclohexyl, -cycloheptyl, -cyclooctyl, -cyclononyl, -cyclodecyl, and similar.

The term alkenyl refers to a saturated, linear, or branched non-cyclic functional hydrocarbon group with an indicated number of atoms of carbon and containing at least one double carbon-carbon bond. Examples of an alkenyl functional group are -vinyl, -allyl, 1-butenyl -2-butenyl, -iso-butylenyl, -1-pentenyl, -2-pentenyl, -3-methyl-1-butenyl, -2-methyl-2-butenyl, -2,3-dimethyl-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 similar.

The term cycloalkenyl refers to a saturated monocyclic or polycyclic functional hydrocarbon group with an indicated number of atoms of carbon and containing at least one double carbon-carbon bond.

Examples of the cycloalkenyl functional group are -cyclopentenyl, -cyclopentadienyl, -cyclohexenyl, -cyclohexadienyl, -cycloheptenyl, -cycloheptadienyl, -cycloheptatrienyl, -cyclooctenyl, -cyclooctadienyl, -cyclooctatrienyl, -cyclooctatetraenyl, -cyclononenyl, -cyclononadienyl, -cyclodecenyl, -cyclodecadienyl, and similar.

The term alkynyl refers to a saturated, linear, or branched non-cyclic functional hydrocarbon group with an indicated number of atoms of carbon and containing at least one triple carbon-carbon bond. Examples of an alkynyl functional group are -acetylenyl, -propynyl, -1-butynyl, -2-butynyl, -1-pentynyl, -2-pentynyl, -3-methyl-1-butynyl, -4- pentynyl, -1-hexynyl, -2-hexynyl, -5-hexynyl, and similar.

The term cycloalkynyl refers to a saturated monocyclic or polycyclic functional hydrocarbon group with an indicated number of atoms of carbon and containing at least one triple carbon-carbon bond. Examples of a cycloalkynyl functional group are -cyclohexynyl, -cycloheptynyl, -cyclooctynyl, and similar.

The term aryl refers to an aromatic monocyclic or polycyclic functional hydrocarbon group with an indicated number of atoms of carbons. Examples of an aryl functional group are -phenyl, -tolyl, -xylyl, -naphthyl, and similar.

The term heteroaryl refers to an aromatic monocyclic or polycyclic functional hydrocarbon group with an indicated number of atoms of carbon with at least one atom of carbon replaced with a heteroatom selected from O, N, and S. Examples of a heteroaryl functional group are -furyl, -thienyl, -imidazolyl, -oxazolyl, -thiazolyl, -isoxazolyl, -triazolyl, -oxadiazolyl, -thiadiazolyl, -tetrazolyl, -pirydyl, -pyrimidyl, -triazynyl, -indolyl, -benzo[b]furyl, -benzo[b]thienyl, -indazolyl, -benzoimidazolyl, -azaindolyl, -chinolyl, -isochinolyl, -carbazolyl, and similar.

The term heterocycle refers to a saturated or partly saturated monocyclic or polycyclic functional hydrocarbon group, with an indicated number of atoms with at least one atom of carbon replaced with a heteroatom selected from O, N, and S. Examples of a heterocyclic functional group are -furyl, -thiophenyl, -pyrrolyl, -oxazolyl, -imidazolyl, -thiazolyl, -isoxazolyl, -pyrazolyl, -isothiazolyl, -triazynyl, -pyrrolidinolyl, -pyrrolidinyl, -hydrantoinyl, -oxyranil, -oxetanyl, -tetrahydrofuranyl, -tetrahydrothiophenyl, -quinolinyl, -isoquinolinyl, -chromonyl, -coumarinyl, -indolyl, -indolizinyl, -benzo[b]furanyl, -benzo[b]thiophenyl -indazolyl, -purinyl, -4H-quinolizinyl, -isoquinolyl, -quinolyl, -phthalazinyl, -naphthyridinyl, -carbazolyl, -β-carbolinyl, and similar.

The term inert ligand refers to a functional group without a charge capable of coordinating with the metallic centre (the ruthenium atom). Examples of such ligands are: amines, phosphines and oxides thereof, aryl and alkyl phosphoranes and phosphorines, arsines and oxides thereof, ethers, aryl and alkyl sulphides, coordinated hydrocarbons, and aryl and alkyl halides.

The term indenylene refers to an unsaturated functional hydrocarbon with an indene skeleton (benzocyclopentadiene).

The term heteroindenylene refers to an indenylene functional group, defined above, in which at least one atom of carbon has been replaced with a heteroatom from a group comprising: nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur.

The term anion ligand refers to a functional group capable of coordination with the metallic centre (the ruthenium atom) with a charge capable of partial or full compensation of the metallic centre charge. Examples of such ligands may be: fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, cyanide, cyanate, and thiocyanate, carboxylic acid anions, alcohol anions, phenol anions, thiol and thiophenol anions, hydrocarbon anions with a delocalised charge (e.g. cyclopentadiene), (organo)sulphuric and (organo)phosphoric acid anions and their esters (e.g. alkyl sulphonic and aryl sulphonic acid anions, alkyl phosphoric and aryl phosphoric acid anions, sulphuric acid alkyl and aryl ester anions, phosphoric acid alkyl and aryl ester anions, alkyl phosphoric and aryl phosphoric acid alkyl and aryl ester anions). An anion ligand may have a group L¹, L², or L³linked like a catechol anion, an acetylacetone anion, or a salicylic aldehyde anion. Anion ligands (Z¹and Z²) and inert ligands (L¹, L², and L³) may be linked with each other, creating polydentate ligands, e.g.: the bidentate ligand (Z¹, Z²), the tridentate ligand (Z¹, Z², L¹), the tetradentate ligand (Z¹, Z², L¹, L²), the bidentate ligand (Z¹, L¹), the tridentate ligand (Z¹, L¹, L²), the tetradentate ligand (Z¹, L¹, L², L³), the bidentate ligand (L¹, L²), and the tridentate ligand (L¹, L², L³). Examples of such ligands are: catechol anion, acetylacetone anion, and salicylic aldehyde anion.

The stages of synthesis which are generally used in producing ligands with formula 9 are presented in general in Diagram I, in accordance with which the synthesis of the compounds with formulae 21, 23, and 25 is carried out (Examples I-III).

The olefination reaction of substituted aromatic and heteroaromatic halogen aldehyde derivatives with formula 8, where R¹has the meaning given above, is advantageously carried out in accordance with Tebbe's method with Tebbe's titanium reagent or in accordance with Wittig's method with Wittig's reagent, or in accordance with Peterson's method. The reaction is carried out in solvents such as alcohol and glycol ethers or cyclic ethers, advantageously THF, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, and mixtures of all of the above. Compounds with the general formula 9 are also beneficially obtained from the protected aldehyde 10 without generation and purification of the halogen aldehyde with the general formula 8 (Diagram I, experimental data Examples I-III).

In the method in accordance with the invention, the complex with formula 1 is obtained as presented in Diagram II (for experimental data, see Examples IV-XI) in a reaction between the substituted compound with formula 9 and the ruthenium complex 11a, 11b, 11c, or 11d, where the functional group has the meaning given above, possibly in the presence of an anhydrous halogen salt of copper(I), such as CuCl or CuBr. The reaction is carried out advantageously in chlorinated solvents, e.g. methylene chloride, or in aromatic hydrocarbons, or in mixtures thereof, over 1-24 hours at a temperature of 0-120° C. Furthermore, protic and aprotic solvents may be used, such as alcohols or ketones. The reaction may be carried out also in the presence of Brønsted acids such as H₂SO₄, HCl, HNO₃, H₃PO₄, sulphonated polymers (Nafion-H), or other acids bonded with a fixed substrate, in the solvent described above.

The examples above explain the production and use of the new complexes. The comparative examples with the use of known complexes confirm that the complexes in accordance with the invention of formula 1 are thermally more stable than complexes known from the state of the art and furthermore display higher catalytic activity.

1-iodo-2-(prop-1-enyl)benzene. To the suspension of ethyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide (6.72 g, 18.3 mmol) in THF (30 ml), a solution is added by drops of tert-amylate (8.5 ml, 14.5 mmol, 1.7 M solution in toluene) at room temperature. After 1 hour, the reaction mixture is cooled to a temperature of 0° C., an aldehyde solution with formula 22 is added (2.80 g, 12.1 mmol) in THF (10 ml), the cooling bath is removed, and the mixing is continued for 3 hours at room temperature. This is followed by the addition of water (0.5 ml), dilution with n-hexane (30 ml), drying using MgSG₄, and the solvent is evaporated at reduced pressure. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel (cyclohexane), obtaining a styrene derivative with formula 23 in the form of a colourless oil as a mixture of isomers E:Z=1.83:1 (2.69 g, 91%).

¹H NMR (200 MHz): 7.80-7.70 (m, 1H), 7.45-7.18 (m, 1H), 6.96-6.78 (m, 1H), 6.62-6.26 (m, 1H), 1.90 (dd, J=6.6 Hz, 1.6 Hz, 0.35×3H), 1.73 (dd, J=7.0 Hz, 1.6 Hz, 0.65×1H).¹³C NMR (50 MHz): 140.8, 139.3, 139.0, 134.7, 133.7, 129.8, 129.0, 128.3, 128.2, 128.2, 127.7, 127.6, 126.3, 100.2, 99.2, 18.6, 14.1.

The compound described in Synlett 2007, 929-933, and J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 4804-4807 without spectral data.

1-bromo-2-(prop-1-enyl)naphthalene. To the suspension of ethyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide (3.72 g, 10.0 mmol) in anhydrous THF (8 ml), a solution is added by drops of potassium tert-amylate (5.5 ml, 9.3 mmol, 1.7 M solution in toluene) using a syringe at room temperature. After 1 hour, the reaction mixture is cooled to a temperature of 0° C., a solution is added of aldehyde with formula 20 (1.68 g, 7.16 mmol), the cooling bath is removed, and mixing is carried out for 3 hours at room temperature. Then, the reaction mixture is diluted with cyclohexane (30 ml), the sediment is filtered off, and the solvent is evaporated at reduced pressure. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel (cyclohexane), obtaining a naphthalene derivative with formula 21 in the form of an oil as a mixture of isomers E:Z=1.82:1 (1.66 g, 94%).

¹H NMR (200 MHz): 8.44-8.32 (m, 1H), 7.88-7.40 (m, 5H), 7.18-7.02 (m, 0.65×1H), 6.76 (dd, J=11.4, 1.6 Hz, 0.35×1H), 6.35 (dq, J=15.8, 6.6 Hz, 0.65×1H), 6.00 (dq, J=11.4, 7.0 Hz, 0.35×1H), 2.03 (dd, J=6.6, 1.6 Hz, 0.65×3H), 1.88-1.82 (m, 0.35×3H).

¹³C NMR (50 MHz): 135.7, 135.1, 133.5, 133.3, 132.6, 131.0, 130.6, 129.7, 128.1, 128.0, 127.9, 127.6, 127.5, 127.4, 127.3, 127.2, 126.8, 126.2, 126.1, 124.2, 123.6, 122.5, 18.9, 14.6.

HR MS was calculated for C₁₃H₁₁Br: 246.0044. Found: 246.0054.

Spectroscopy data in accordance with the literature: Daiichi Sankyo Company, Ltd. Patent application: EP 1 914 229 A1, 2008.

1-Iodo-2-(prop-1-enyl)naphthalene. To the solution of ketal with formula 24 (4.63 g, 14.3 mmol) in a mixture of 1,4-dioxane (40 ml) and water (5 ml), p-toluenesulfonic acid (1.36 g, 7.15 mmol) is added and mixed for 16 hours at room temperature. Then, the reaction mixture is diluted with water (100 ml) and a saturated hydrous solution K₂CO₃(10 ml), and EtOAc (3×20 ml) is extracted. The combined organic extracts are rinsed with a saturated solution of NaCl (2×30 ml) and dried using MgSO₄, and the solvent is evaporated at reduced pressure, obtaining aldehyde in the form of a yellow solid (3.99 g, 99%). The aldehyde obtained is used for the subsequent reaction without further purification.

To the suspension of ethyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide (5.69 g, 15.3 mmol) in anhydrous THF (30 ml), a solution is added by drops of potassium tert-amylate (8.7 ml, 14.7 mmol, 1.7 M solution in toluene) using a syringe at room temperature. After 1 hour, the reaction mixture is cooled to a temperature of 0° C., the solution of crude aldehyde previously obtained is added (3.32 g, 11.79 mmol) in THF (10 ml), and mixing is continued for hours at room temperature. Then, water (1 ml) is added, and dilution takes place with n-hexane (30 ml). The sediment created is filtered, and the residue is chromatographed on silica gel (cyclohexane), obtaining naphthalene derivative with formula 25 in the form of a yellow oil (3.12 g, 90%).

Procedure A: using a protective atmosphere of argon, in a Schlenk flask are placed anhydrous CuCl (0.0208 g, 0.21 mmol, 1.05 equivalent), bromonaphthalene equivalent with formula 21 (0.0544 g, 0.22 mmol, 1.10 equivalent), dry, deoxygenated CH₂Cl₂(10 ml), and solid carbene ruthenium complex with formula 5a (in which Mes denotes 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, and Cy denotes cyclohexyl):

(‘Grubbs’ II generation catalyst, 0.170 g, 0.20 mmol) in the sequence indicated. The suspension obtained is mixed at boiling point for 2 hours. From this moment, all subsequent operations are carried out without the use of a protective atmosphere of argon. The reaction mixture is concentrated in a rotary evaporator, and the residue obtained is chromatographed on silica gel (20 ml), using as eluent 20% ethyl acetate in CH₂Cl₂. Then, solvents are evaporated at reduced pressure, obtaining a catalyst with Formula 12 as a green solid (0.094 g, 68%).

Procedure B: using a protective atmosphere of argon, in a Schlenk flask are placed bromonaphthalene derivative with formula 21 (0.741 g, 3.0 mmol, 1.10 equivalent), dry, deoxygenated toluene (67 ml), and solid carbene ruthenium complex with formula 6b:

(‘catalyst M31’, Umicore AG & Co KG, 1.52 g, 2.0 mmol) in the sequence indicated. The suspension obtained is mixed at a temperature of 80° C. for 2 hours. From that moment, all operations are carried out without the use of a protective atmosphere of argon. The product suspension obtained is filtered off using a Büchner funnel, rinsed with n-pentane (2×8 ml), and dried for hours, obtaining a catalyst with formula 12 as a dark green solid (1.05 g, 75%).

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 17.97 (s, 1H), 8.22 (dd, J=8.5, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.89 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (ddd, J=8.5, 7.0, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.72 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (ddd, J=8.5, 7.0, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (2 s ovl, 2H), 7.10 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (s, 1H), 5.73 (s, 1H), 4.26-4.19 (m, 1H), 4.12-4.04 (m, 2H), 3.87-3.80 (m, 1H), 2.64 (s, 3H), 2.53 (s, 3H), 2.46 (s, 3H), 2.43 (s, 3H), 2.17 (s, 3H), 1.34 (s, 3H).

¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 278.1, 214.1, 149.4, 141.0, 140.6, 139.1, 138.1, 137.1, 135.7, 135.4, 134.4, 131.9, 131.7, 131.3, 130.4, 130.0, 129.7, 129.5, 129.4, 129.3, 128.3, 127.4, 126.7, 124.8, 52.0, 51.9, 21.6, 21.2, 20.4, 19.5, 18.8, 17.3.

Elemental analysis for C₃₂H₃₄Cl₂BrN₂Ru: calculated: C 55.02, H 4.91, N 4.01. Found: C 56.11, H 5.16, N 3.88.

Using a protective atmosphere of argon, in a Schlenk flask are placed iodostyrene with formula 23 (0.549 g, 2.25 mmol, 1.10 equivalent), dry, deoxygenated toluene (50 ml) and solid carbene ruthenium complex with formula 6b (‘catalyst M31’, Umicore AG & Co KG, 1.14 g, 1.50 mmol), in the sequence indicated. The suspension obtained is mixed at a temperature of 80° C. for 2 hours. From this moment, all subsequent operations are carried out in air, without the use of a protective atmosphere of argon. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, diluted with n-pentane (50 ml), filtered off using a Büchner funnel, rinsed with n-pentane (2×4 ml), and dried for 16 hours, obtaining [a catalyst] with formula 14 as a dark green solid (0.823 g, 70%, solvate with toluene 1:1, in accordance with¹H NMR).

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 18.06 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.61-7.57 (m, 1H), 7.35 (ddd, J=9.0, 7.5, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (ddd, J=8.5, 7.0, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (s, 1H), 7.04 (s, 1H), 6.94 (s, 1H), 6.91 (dd, J=7.2, 3.7 Hz, 1H), 6.01 (s, 1H), 4.25-4.17 (m, 1H), 4.10-3.96 (m, 2H), 3.91-3.84 (m, 1H), 2.71 (s, 3H), 2.50 (s, 3H), 2.41 (s, 3H), 2.38 (s, 3H), 2.16 (s, 3H), 1.62 (s, 3H). Signals of toluene omitted.

¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 281.7, 214.7, 157.7, 141.0, 140.5, 139.0, 138.2, 136.5, 136.0, 135.7, 134.3, 132.0, 131.4, 130.8, 130.3, 130.0, 129.5, 129.3, 128.1, 100.7, 52.1, 51.8, 21.5, 21.2, 20.6, 20.3, 19.0, 18.2. Signals of toluene omitted.

Elemental analysis for C₃₅H₄₀Cl₂In₂Ru: calculated: C 53.38, H 5.12, N 3.56. Found: C 53.32, H 5.10, N 3.90.

Procedure A: using a protective atmosphere of argon, in a Schlenk flask are placed iodonaphthalene derivative with formula 25 (0.706 g, 2.4 mmol, 1.10 equivalent), dry, deoxygenated toluene (50 ml), and solid carbene ruthenium complex with formula 6b (‘M31 catalyst’, Umicore AG & Co KG, 1.52 g, 2.0 mmol), in the sequence indicated. The suspension obtained is mixed at a temperature of 80° C. for 45 minutes. From this moment, all operations are carried out in air, without the use of a protective atmosphere of argon. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, diluted with n-pentane (50 ml), filtered off using a Büchner funnel, rinsed with n-pentane (2×20 ml), and dried for 16 hours, obtaining a catalyst with formula 15 as a dark green solid (1.385 g, 93%).

Procedure B: using a protective atmosphere of argon, in a Schlenk flask are placed anhydrous CuCl (0.0156 mg, 0.158 mmol, 1.05 equivalent), iodonaphthalene derivative with formula 25 (0.0485 g, 0.165 mmol, 1.10 equivalent), dry, deoxygenated CH₂Cl₂(7.5 ml), and solid carbene ruthenium complex with formula 5a:

(‘Grubbs II generation catalyst’, 0.127 g, 0.150 mmol), in the sequence indicated. The suspension obtained is mixed at boiling point for 10 minutes. From this moment, all operations are carried out in air, without the use of a protective atmosphere of argon. The reaction mixture is concentrated in a rotary evaporator, and the residue obtained is chromatographed on silica gel (20 ml), using, as eluent, 10% ethyl acetate in CH₂Cl₂. Then, the solvents are evaporated at reduced pressure, obtaining a catalyst with formula 15 as an olive green solid (0.0923 g, 83%).

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 18.26 (s, ═CH, 1H), 7.97 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.82 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.76-7.71 (m, 2H), 7.63-7.58 (m, 1H), 7.19 (s, 1H), 7.09 (s, 1H), 6.97 (s, 1H), 6.96 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 5.76 (s, 1H), 4.26-4.17 (m, 1H), 4.10-3.95 (m, 2H), 3.88-3.80 (m, 1H), 2.74 (s, 3H), 2.54 (s, 3H), 2.48 (s, 3H), 2.41 (s, 3H), 2.16 (s, 3H), 1.39 (s, 3H).

¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 281.2, 214.3, 156.3, 141.0, 140.5, 139.0, 138.2, 136.5, 135.8, 135.5, 134.6, 133.9, 132.1, 131.4, 130.9, 130.4, 130.1, 129.8, 129.5, 129.4, 128.4, 126.4, 105.8, 52.2, 51.8, 21.5, 21.2, 20.6, 19.1, 18.1.

Elemental analysis for C₃₂H₃₄Cl₂IN₂Ru: calculated: C 51.55, H 4.60, N 3.76. Found: C 52.26, H 4.61, N 3.59.

Procedure: using a protective atmosphere of argon, in a Schlenk flask are placed iodostyrene derivative with formula 28 (0.433 g, 1.5 mmol):

sand dry, deoxygenated toluene (20 ml), and solid, carbene complex of ruthenium with formula 6b (‘M31 catalyst’, Umicore AG & Co KG, 0.761 g, 1.0 mmol), in the sequence indicated. The suspension obtained is mixed at a temperature of 80° C. for 1 hour. From this moment, all operations are carried out in air, without the use of a protective atmosphere of argon. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, diluted with n-pentane (20 ml), filtered using a Schott filter, rinsed with n-pentane (3×10 ml), and dried under pressure, obtaining a compound with formula 17 as a light green solid (0.659 g, 79%, solvate with toluene 1:1 in accordance with¹H NMR).

¹H NMR (200 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 18.11 (d, J=1.0 Hz, ═CH, 1H), 8.19, (dd, J=8.5, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 7.79 (dd, J=8.5, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.72 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 7.27-7.12 (m, 1H+toluene), 7.05 (s, 1H), 7.02 (s, 1H), 6.05 (s, 1H), 4.27-4.20 (m, 1H), 4.13-3.97 (m, 2H), 3.93-3.85 (m, 1H), 2.69 (s, 3H), 2.50 (s, 3H), 2.42 (s, 3H), 2.39 (s, 3H), 2.34 (s, toluene), 2.08 (s, 3H), 1.61 (s, 3H).

¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 276.9, 212.9, 157.7, 149.5, 141.2, 140.5, 139.8, 138.4, 136.2, 135.8, 135.6, 134.7, 131.39, 131.37, 130.22, 130.20, 129.4, 129.0, 128.6, 125.6, 123.5, 120.9, 107.6, 52.0, 51.7, 21.5, 21.4, 20.7, 20.4, 20.1, 18.8, 18.1. Signals of toluene were omitted.

Procedure: using a protective atmosphere of argon, in a Schlenk flask are placed an iodostyrene derivative with formula 29 (0.453 g, 1.56 mmol):

dry, deoxygenated toluene (20 ml) and solid carbene ruthenium complex with formula 6b (‘catalyst M31’, Umicore AG & Co KG, 0.787 g, 1.04 mmol). The suspension obtained is mixed at a temperature of 80° C. for 1 hour. From this moment, all operations are carried out in air, without the use of a protective atmosphere of argon. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, diluted with n-pentane (20 ml), filtered using a Schott filter, rinsed with n-pentane (3×15 ml), and dried under pressure, obtaining a catalyst with formula 18 as a bronze-coloured solid (0.745 g, 86%, solvate with toluene 1:1, in accordance with¹H NMR).

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 18.12 (s, ═CH, 1H), 8.41 (dd, J=8.0, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (dd, J=8.0, 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.26-7.12 (m, 2H +toluene), 7.08 (s, 1H), 6.96 (s, 1H), 5.97 (s, 1H), 4.25-4.18 (m, 1H), 4.11-3.95 (m, 2H), 3.92-3.84 (m, 1H), 2.69 (s, 3H), 2.51 (s, 3H), 2.47 (s, 3H), 2.39 (s, 3H), 2.34 (s, toluene), 2.14 (s, 3H), 1.62 (s, 3H).

¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 279.0, 212.9, 158.7, 150.7, 141.1, 140.4, 139.1, 138.4, 138.3, 136.1, 135.7, 135.5, 132.2, 131.4, 131.3, 131.1, 130.22, 130.17, 129.4, 129.1, 128.6, 125.6, 125.4, 93.1, 51.9, 51.8, 21.4, 21.1, 20.4, 20.1, 18.8, 18.2. Signals of toluene are omitted.

Procedure: using a protective atmosphere of argon, in a Schlenk flask are placed a bromostyrene derivative with formula 26 (0.371 g, 1.55 mmol):

dry, deoxygenated toluene (20 ml), and solid carbene ruthenium complex with formula 6b (‘catalyst M31’, Umicore AG & Co KG, 0.780 g, 1.03 mmol), in the sequence indicated. The suspension obtained is mixed at a temperature of 80° C. for 30 minutes. From that moment, all operations are carried out in air, without the use of a protective atmosphere of argon. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, diluted with n-pentane (20 ml), filtered using a Schott filter, rinsed with n-pentane (2×10 ml), and dried under pressure, obtaining a catalyst with formula 13 as a dark green solid (0.408 g, 57%).

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 17.75 (s, ═CH, 1H), 7.28 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H), 7.16 (s, 1H), 7.11 (s, 1H) 6.94 (s, 1H), 6.80 (dd, J=9.0, 3.0 Hz, 1H), 6.41 (d, J=3.0 Hz, 1H), 6.19 (s, 1H), 4.24-4.16 (m, 1H), 4.11-4.02 (m, 1H), 4.02-3.92 (m, 1H), 3.92-3.81 (m, 1H), 2.97 (s, 6H, N(CH₃)₂), 2.63 (s, 3H), 2.42 (2s ovl, 6H), 2.40 (s, 3H), 2.17 (s, 3H), 1.60 (s, 3H).

¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 280.9, 214.8, 152.5, 151.3, 140.6, 140.2, 138.5, 137.8, 136.9, 136.2, 135.5, 131.8, 131.0, 130.0, 129.7, 129.3, 128.5, 113.7, 114.4, 110.7, 51.9, 51.6, 40.6, 21.3, 20.9, 20.1, 19.1, 18.6, 17.2.

Procedure: using a protective atmosphere of argon, in a Schlenk flask are placed iodonaphthalene derivative with formula 27 (0.137 g, 0.466 mmol):

dry, deoxygenated toluene (6 ml), and a solid carbene ruthenium complex with formula 6b (‘catalyst M31’, Umicore AG & Co KG, 0.239 g, 0.316 mmol), in the sequence indicated. The suspension obtained is mixed at a temperature of 80° C. for 1 hour. From this moment, all operations are carried out in air, without the use of a protective atmosphere of argon. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, diluted with n-pentane (1 ml), filtered using a Schott filter, rinsed with n-pentane (2×10 ml), and dried under pressure, obtaining a catalyst with formula 16 as a dark green solid (0.183 g, 78%).

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 18.08 (d, J=1.0 Hz, ═CH, 1H), 8.12 (s, 1H), 8.00 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.77-7.70 (m, 2H), 7.56 (ddd, J=7.5, 6.0, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (s, 1H), 7.17 (s, 1H), 7.06 (s, 1H), 6.95 (s, 1H), 5.59 (s, 1H), 4.25-4.18 (m, 1H), 4.11-3.95 (m, 2H), 3.91-3.84 (m, 1H), 2.70 (s, 3H), 2.50 (s, 3H), 2.44 (s, 3H), 2.39 (s, 3H), 1.88 (s, 3H), 1.63 (s, 3H).

¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 280.6, 215.0, 154.7, 140.8, 140.5, 138.9, 138.2, 136.4, 136.1, 135.7, 134.2, 133.49, 133.47, 131.9, 131.2, 130.11, 130.10, 129.8, 129.0, 128.7, 128.4, 127.7, 126.5, 95.8, 51.9, 51.6, 21.4, 21.0, 20.4, 20.2, 18.9, 18.1.

Procedure: using a protective atmosphere of argon, in the Schlenk flask are placed iodonaphthalene derivative with formula 30 (0.138 g, 0.469 mmol).

dry, deoxygenated toluene (6 ml), and solid carbene ruthenium complex with formula 6b (‘catalyst M31’, Umicore AG & Co KG, 0.237 mg, 0.313 mmol), in the sequence referred to. The suspension obtained is mixed at a temperature of 80° C. for 1 hour. From that moment, all subsequent operations are carried out in air, without the use of a protective atmosphere of argon. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, diluted with n-pentane (6 ml), filtered using a Schott filter, rinsed with n-pentane (2×10 ml), and dried under pressure, obtaining a catalyst with formula 19, as a dark green solid (0.113 mg, 48%).

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 18.69 (s, ′CH, 1H), 7.99-7.94 (m ovl, 2H), 7.95 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.32-7.22 (m, 2H), 7.18 (dd, J=8.0, 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.13 (s, 1H), 7.02 (s, 1H), 6.83 (s, 1H), 5.63 (s, 1H), 4.32-4.22 (m, 1H), 4.15-4.04 (m, 2H), 3.97-3.88 (m, 1H), 2.75 (s, 3H), 2.57 (s, 3H), 2.47 (s, 3H), 2.37 (s, 3H), 2.02 (s, 3H), 1.50 (s, 3H).

¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 284.2, 216.3, 144.6, 140.7, 140.0, 138.6, 138.5, 138.1, 136.9, 136.3, 136.1, 135.7, 134.9, 133.0, 132.9, 132.4, 131.3, 131.2, 130.04, 130.00, 128.8, 127.4, 127.2, 87.6, 52.1, 51.5, 21.3, 21.1, 20.4 (ovl), 19.1, 18.0.

Testing the catalytic activity for cyclisation of diethyl diallylmalonate using H-NMR methods (in accordance with diagram III).

Solution A:

To the 5 ml measurement flask is added diethyl diallylmalonate (0.2882 g, 0.12 mmol), and CD₂Cl₂is added up to the nominal value.

Solution B:

To a 1.5 ml vial is added a catalyst in accordance with the invention (12-19, 0.012 mmol), and 1 ml of CD₂Cl₂is added.

Reaction Profile Measurements:

To an NMR tube is added 0.5 ml of solution A, and a micro-syringe is used to add 0.1 ml of solution B. The tube is closed with a cork, and, simultaneously, the time starts to be calculated and the content is mixed and placed in an NMR thermostatic device (at a temperature of 25° C., unless otherwise indicated), with successive¹H NMR spectra being recorded over a total period of 75 minutes. In an identical manner, the activity is studied of the commercially available catalysts 5a and 6a. On the basis of the integration of signals 6 2.6-2.9 ppm, conversions are determined, and the results are presented in FIG. 1, which shows progress during the course of the diethyl diallylmalonate cyclisation reaction in relation to various catalysts (¹H NMR).

On the basis of data obtained from tests of the catalytic activity of the complexes in accordance with the invention, it can be found that, at a temperature of 25° C., they are much more active than the commercially available catalyst of formula 6a.

Test of the effect of temperature on the catalytic activity of complexes with formulae 15 and 18 in diethyl diallylmalonate cyclisation using¹H NMR methods (in accordance with Diagram III).

The test was carried out in accordance with the procedure described in example XII at temperatures of 25, 40, and 55° C. The reactions carried out at a temperature of 55° C. were carried out in an NMR Wilmad pressure tube. The results obtained are presented in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, which show progress during the course of the diethyl diallylmalonate cyclisation reaction at various temperatures (by¹H NMR).

The results obtained show that the catalysts in accordance with the invention show thermal stability (and can also act at an elevated temperature), and, thanks to changes in activity as a function of temperature, the course of catalytic processes can be easily controlled.

Examples of Application

Tests were carried out into catalytic activity with various substrates in accordance with Diagrams IV-X (the results are shown in tables 1-7 respectively).

The results presented in tables 3, 4, and 7 show clearly that the complexes in accordance with the invention are much more active than the catalyst 6a, which is known from the state of the art.

An example of the application of new ruthenium complexes in accordance with the invention as ROMP-type (ring-opening metathesis polymerisation-type) polymerisation catalysts.

Obtaining the Polydicyclopentadiene:

To the flask is added dicyclopentadiene (0.132 g, 1.0 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂(5 ml), and mixing takes place at room temperature. Then, solution is added of the catalyst with formula 14 (0.0000025 g, 0.0003 mol %), and the contents of the flask are mixed at the same temperature for 1 minute. The contents of the flask are poured into another vessel containing 15 ml of methyl alcohol, and a solid precipitates, which is separated by filtration and dried at reduced pressure with the use of a pressure pump. Polydicyclopentadiene is obtained as an elastic white solid.

This example demonstrates that complexes in accordance with the invention may successfully be applied in a ROMP-type polymerisation reaction.

On the basis of the examples of embodiment presented above, it can be found that ruthenium complexes in accordance with the invention show high catalytic activity in comparison with complexes known from the state of the art. In addition, complexes in accordance with the invention are stable at an elevated temperature and may be stored without a protective gas atmosphere.

Procedure: using a protective atmosphere of argon, the styrene derivative 1-bromo-2-(1-propenyl)-4-methyl-benzene (254 mg, 1.2 mmol) and the solid carbene ruthenium complex with formula 6b (‘catalyst M31’, Umicore AG & Co KG; 749 mg, 1 mmol) are combined in a Schlenk flask and 20 ml of dry, deoxygenated toluene is added. The suspension obtained is stirred at a temperature of 80° C. for 15 minutes under argon. In the course of the reaction, the M31 complex dissolves within 3-5 minutes, while in 5-10 minutes a green precipitate is observed. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, filtered on a Schott filter, washed with toluene and dried under vacuum obtaining catalyst with formula 31 as green powder (89 mg, 0.13 mmol, 13%).

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 17.75 (d, J=1.0 Hz, Ru═CH, 1H), 7.40 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (dd, J=0.5, 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.16 (s, 1H), 7.11 (s, 1H), 6.98 (s, 1H), 6.86 (d, J=0.5 Hz, 1H), 6.11 (s, 1H), 4.24-4.15 (m, 1H), 4.11-4.02 (m, 1H), 4.01-3.92 (m, 1H), 3.90-3.82 (m, 1H), 2.62 (s, 3H), 2.45 (s, 3H), 2.44 (s, 3H), 2.42 (s, 3H), 2.40 (s, 3H), 2.22 (s, 3H), 1.54 (s, 3H).

¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 279.0, 214.5, 151.8, 140.8, 140.3, 139.8, 138.9, 138.0, 136.9, 136.1, 135.5, 131.7, 131.2, 131.0, 130.1, 129.7, 129.2, 128.5, 127.3, 123.0, 51.9, 51.6, 21.4, 21.2, 20.9, 20.2, 19.2, 18.6, 17.2.

Trace signals of the solvent (toluene) were not listed.

Procedure: using a protective atmosphere of argon, the styrene derivative 1-bromo-2-(1-propenyl)-4-methoxy-benzene (545 mg, 2.4 mmol) and the solid carbene ruthenium complex with formula 6b (‘catalyst M31’, Umicore AG & Co KG; 1497 mg, 2 mmol) are combined in a Schlenk flask and 40 ml of dry, deoxygenated toluene is added. The suspension obtained is stirred at a temperature of 80° C. for 15 minutes under argon. In the course of the reaction, the M31 complex dissolves within 3-5 minutes, while in 5-10 minutes a green precipitate is observed. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, filtered on a Schott filter, washed with toluene and dried under vacuum obtaining a catalyst with formula 32, as a green powder (396 mg, 0.58 mmol, 29%).

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 17.76 (d, J=1.0 Hz, Ru═CH, 1H), 7.40 (dd, J=1.0, 6.7 Hz, 1H), 7.16 (s, 1H), 7.12 (s, 1H), 7.06 (dd, J=3.0, 8.6Hz, 1H), 6.96 (s, 1H), 6.60 (d, J=3.0 Hz, 1H), 6.15 (s, 1H), 4.25-4.15 (m, 1H), 4.11-4.04 (m, 1H), 4.01-3.94 (m, 1H), 3.90-3.83 (m, 1H), 3.81 (s, OCH3, 3H), 2.61 (s, 3H), 2.43 (s, 3H), 2.42 (s, 3H), 2.40 (s, 3H), 2.20 (s, 3H), 1.60 (s, 3H).

¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): 278.2, 214.3, 160.9, 152.7, 140.8, 140.3, 138.9, 137.9, 136.8, 136.0, 135.4, 131.6, 131.0, 130.1, 129.7, 129.2, 129.0, 116.2, 116.0, 111.5, 56.2, 51.9, 51.6, 21.3, 20.9, 20.2, 19.1, 18.5, 17.3.

Trace signals of the solvent (toluene) were not listed.