Ring-closing olefin metathesis in the aqueous phase of amphiphilic conetworks consisting of fluorophilic and hydrophilic compartments

A Grubbs–Hoveyda-Type metathesis catalyst bearing a tris(perfluoroalkyl)silyl tag was immobilized in the fluorophilic phase of amphiphilic conetworks (APCNs). This catalytic system was applied to ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions in aqueous media. Different substrates were evaluated and with 10 mol% of catalyst at 60 °C good conversions were observed. Reuse of the catalytic system was possible, but resulted generally in lower conversions.