At Long Last: Olefin Metathesis Macrocyclization at High Concentration

Macrocyclic lactones, ketones, and ethers can be obtained in the High-Concentration Ring-Closing Metathesis (HC-RCM) reaction in high yield and selectivity at concentrations 40 to 380 times higher than those typically used by organic chemists for similar macrocyclizations. The new method consists of using tailored ruthenium catalysts together with applying vacuum to distill off the macrocyclic product as it is formed by the metathetical backbiting of oligomers. Unlike classical RCM, no large quantities of organic solvents are used, but rather inexpensive nonvolatile diluents, such as natural or synthetic paraffin oils. Moreover, use of a protecting atmosphere or a glovebox is not needed, as the new catalysts are perfectly moisture and air stable. In addition, some other cyclic compounds previously reported as unobtainable by RCM in neat conditions, or in high dilutions even, can be formed with the help of the HC-RCM method.