Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Isomerization of Terminal Olefins: Applications to Synthesis

Abstract

In, out, olefin about: A ruthenium hydride complex derived from the Grubbs second-generation metathesis catalyst has proven to be an efficient catalyst for the selective isomerization of terminal olefins to the corresponding propenyl derivatives (see scheme). This methodology has been applied in a number of syntheses to enable access to complex natural products. Cy=cyclohexyl, Mes=mesityl, MOM=methoxymethyl.