ABSTRACT
The Ru(II) atom in the title compound, [RuCl(2)(C(15)H(10))(C(18)H(15)P)(2)]·2C(4)H(8)O, has a distorted square-pyramidal conformation. The P and Cl atoms are at the base of the pyramid and the Ru-C(indenyl-idene) bond is in the axial position. The two Cl ligands and the two phosphane ligands are in trans positions. The Cl-Ru-Cl and P-Ru-P angles are 157.71â (2) and 166.83â (2)°, respectively. The two independent tetra-hydro-furan (THF) solvent mol-ecules are disordered. One THF mol-ecule was refined using a split-atom model. The second THF mol-ecule was accounted for by using program PLATON/SQUEEZE [Spek (2009 â¶). Acta Cryst. D65, 148-155]. The molecular conformation shows three intramolecular C-Hâ¯Cl contacts and two C-Hâ¯π interactions while the crystal packing features an intermolecular C-Hâ¯Cl contact and two very weak intermolecular C-Hâ¯π contacts.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: α,ω-Difunctional substrates are useful intermediates for polymer synthesis. An attractive, sustainable and selective (but as yet unused) method in the chemical industry is the oleochemical cross-metathesis with preferably symmetric functionalised substrates. The current study explores the cross-metathesis of methyl oleate (1) with cis-2-butene-1,4-diyl diacetate (2) starting from renewable resources and quite inexpensive base chemicals. RESULTS: This cross-metathesis reaction was carried out with several phosphine and N-heterocyclic carbene ruthenium catalysts. The reaction conditions were optimised for high conversions in combination with high cross-metathesis selectivity. The influence of protecting groups present in the substrates on the necessary catalyst loading was also investigated. CONCLUSIONS: The value-added methyl 11-acetoxyundec-9-enoate (3) and undec-2-enyl acetate (4) are accessed with nearly quantitative oleochemical conversions and high cross-metathesis selectivity under mild reaction conditions. These two cross-metathesis products can be potentially used as functional monomers for diverse sustainable polymers.
