Olefin metathesis asymmetric metathesis and tandem catalysis

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A major goal of our research is the design of robust, selective catalysts that promote the formation of carbon-carbon bonds. Olefin metathesis is one of the most powerful tools now in use for this purpose, as noted in the citation awarding the 2005 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Schrock, Grubbs, and Chauvin. While the high, tunable selectivity of the Schrock catalysts is a major asset in achieving the synthesis of desired organic compounds, their high sensitivity to air and water is problematic. The Grubbs catalysts, based on the less oxophilic transition metal ruthenium, are much more easily handled, and have greatly expanded the uptake of olefin metathesis in organic synthesis. Despite this robustness, however, they are short-lived. They are also limited in terms of the ease of tuning activity and selectivity. Studying their deactivation pathways led us to develop a new family of catalyst that is longer-lived and more productive. It also offers expanded potential to define the active site at the catalyst, and thus selectivity. Combining robustness with selectivity would unite the two main streams of experimental development in olefin metathesis.