Catalytic Olefin Transpositions Facilitated by Ruthenium N,N,N-Pincer Complexes

Previous reports with our N,N,N-pincer Ru hydride catalysts have shown their synthetic versatility in the ability to perform various transfer dehydrogenation reactions, deuterations, and (semi)-hydrogenations. In this report, we expand the reactivity of these complexes to encompass olefin transposition/isomerization via a chain-walking mechanism. Furthermore, we report several one-pot cascade reaction sequences derived from the products of the transposition reactions. The protocol occurs at room temperature achieving excellent yields, regioselectivity, and diastereoselectivity in short reaction times