Forming a ruthenium isomerisation catalyst from Grubbs II: a DFT study?

Dalton Transactions Pub Date: 2014-04-14 DOI: 10.1039/C4DT00464G

Abstract

A DFT investigation into the mechanism for the decomposition of Grubbs 2nd generation pre-catalyst (2) in the presence of methanol, is presented. Gibbs free energy profiles for decomposition of the pre-catalyst (2) via two possible mechanisms were computed. We predict that decomposition following tricyclohexylphosphane dissociation is most favoured compared to direct decomposition of the pre-catalyst (2). However, depending on the reaction conditions, an on-pathway mechanism may be competitive with ruthenium hydride formation.

Graphical abstract: Forming a ruthenium isomerisation catalyst from Grubbs II: a DFT study
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