Optically Pure <i>C</i>₁-Symmetric Cyclic(alkyl)(amino)carbene Ruthenium Complexes for Asymmetric Olefin Metathesis

Abstract

An expedient access to the first optically pure ruthenium complexes containing <i>C</i>₁-symmetric cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene ligands is reported. They demonstrate excellent catalytic performances in asymmetric olefin metathesis with high enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee). Preliminary mechanistic insights provided by density functional theory models highlight the origin of the enantioselectivity.