Biotinylated metathesis catalysts: Synthesis and performance in ring closing metathesis

Abstract

Nine biotinylated Grubbs-Hoveyda and Grubbs-type metathesis catalysts were synthesized and evaluated in ring closing metathesis reactions of N-tosyl diallylamine and 5-hydroxy-2-vinylphenyl acrylate. Their catalytic activity in organic-and aqueous solvents was compared with the second generation Grubbs-Hoveyda catalyst. The position of the biotin-moiety on the N-heterocyclic carbene was found to critically influence the catalytic activity of the corresponding ruthenium-based catalysts. © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013.