Tandem Ring Opening−Ring Closing Metathesis of Cyclic Olefins

Ruthenium alkylidene 1 has been utilized in the tandem
ring opening−ring closing metathesis of cyclic
olefins. This reaction produces a bicyclic molecule from a cyclic
olefin. Reactivity is dependent upon strain, and
thus ring size, in the substrate molecules. Competing
oligomerization is observed in substrates having low ring
strain; this process is inhibited by increasing dilution of the
reaction or by adding alkyl substitution to the acyclic
olefins.