1st Generation Piers Catalyst1
(PCy3 = tricyclohexylphosphine)
– CAS#: [1020085-61-3]
– FW: 833
– Color: Black
– Initiation temperature: <0 °C
| Process | Strengths | Weaknesses |
| CM | -Synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted olefins from terminal olefins -Ethenolysis of internal olefins to make terminal olefins |
-Formation of trisubstituted olefins -Electron-deficient substrates -Hindered substrates |
| RCM | -Synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted olefins -Typically forms the kinetic E/Z ratio |
-Trisubstituted olefin-formation -Hindered substrates |
This catalyst is commonly known as Piers 1st Generation Catalyst. This cationic catalyst is unusual in that it is only 4-coordinate. It can be considered a “pre-activated” catalyst, because no ligand dissociation is required for formation of the active catalytic species. Its reactivity profile is similar to the 1st generation Grubbs catalyst, but is active at much lower temperatures (below 0 °C).
1 Romero, P. E.; Piers, W. E.; McDonald, R. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2004, 43, 6161.
CM – Cross Metathesis
RCM – Ring Closing Metathesis
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