Synthesis of Stable Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalysts with Mixed Anionic Ligands

A series of ruthenium carboxylate complexes that contain two different anionic ligands was prepared. The complexes that bear iodide ligands exhibit remarkable chemical stability. Such complexes have a diminished tendency to undergo anionic ligand exchange and can be activated byvarious acids to form catalysts, which are active in olefinmetathesis reactions.