Phosphites as ligands in ruthenium-benzylidene catalysts for olefin metathesis.

The use of phosphites in second generation, ruthenium-based olefin metathesis pre-catalysts leads to an improvement in catalyst stability and activity at low catalyst loadings.

Simple and versatile synthesis of copper and silver N-heterocyclic carbene complexes in water or organic solvents.

A novel synthetic route leading to N-heterocyclic carbene copper complexes has been developed by using air-stable and commercially available copper(I) oxide and imidazolium salts starting materials.