Decomposition of a Key Intermediate in Ruthenium-Catalyzed Olefin Metathesis Reactions

Abstract
Dinuclear ruthenium complex, with a bridging carbide and a hydride ligand, and methyltricyclohexylphosphonium chloride result from thermal decomposition of olefin metathesis catalyst, (IMesH2)(PCy3)(Cl)2RuCH2. Involvement of dissociated phosphine in the decomposition is proposed. The dinuclear complex has catalytic olefin isomerization activity, which can be responsible for competing isomerization processes in certain olefin metathesis reactions.