Olefin metathesis in water using acoustic emulsification

The performance of two commercially available olefin metathesis catalysts in water has been studied. Ultrasonication of the water-insoluble substrates and catalysts in water allowed the formation of stable emulsions without added surfactants, while the smooth catalytic metathesis took place in the water-insoluble emulsion droplets. Ring-closing (RCM), enyne and cross metathesis (CM) of a variety of substrates proceed with remarkable efficiency in water using acoustic emulsification.