Tandem Ring Opening−Ring Closing Metathesis of Cyclic Olefins

Ruthenium alkylidene 1 has been utilized in the tandem ring opening−ring closing metathesis of cyclic olefins. This reaction produces a bicyclic molecule from a cyclic olefin. Reactivity is dependent upon strain, and thus ring size, in the substrate molecules. Competing oligomerization is observed in substrates having low ring strain; this process is inhibited by increasing dilution of the reaction or by adding alkyl substitution to the acyclic olefins.