A new stable Hoveyda–Grubbs catalyst with mixed anionic ligands

The synthesis and characterisation of a new highly active Hoveyda–Grubbs 2nd generation type catalyst is described. Substitution of one chloride ligand with a partially fluorinated trialkoxysilyl substituted carboxylate leads to the stable monocarboxylate ruthenium catalyst (3). This catalyst represents the first example of a stable and isolable mono-chloride exchanged carboxylate complex suitable for both homogeneous and heterogeneous metathesis. The reactivity of the new catalyst was tested in representative metathesis reactions and offers an activity comparable to the parent dichloride system (1).