Ring-closing metathesis in glycerol under microwave activation

Glycerol, a biodegradable and virtually non-toxic bio-sourced chemical can be used as an alternative, reusable, sustainable solvent, with so far limited application in the field of green organic chemistry. Herein, the reaction conditions have been screened for the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of N,N-dially-Itosylamine and diethyl diallylmalonate in glycerol, under microwave irradiation and in the presence of the most common commercially available RCM catalysts. The products were isolated in high yield after extraction and the catalyst could be recycled up to two times. Results with simultaneous cooling of the reaction vessel under microwave irradiation are also reported. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.