Room-temperature Z-selective homocoupling of α-olefins by tungsten catalysts

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om200150c

3,5-Dimethylphenylimido complexes of tungsten can be prepared using procedures analogous to those employed for other tungsten catalysts, as can bispyrrolide species and MonoAryloxide-Pyrrolide (MAP) species. Homocouplings of 1-hexene, 1-octene, and methyl 10-undecenoate are achieved in 45-89% yield and a Z selectivity of >99% with W(Nar″)(C₃H₆)(pyr) (OHIPT) as a catalyst. Homocoupling of terminal olefins in the presence of (E)-olefins elsewhere in the molecule also was achieved with excellent selectivity.