Radical reactions catalysed by homobimetallic ruthenium(II) complexes bearing Schiff base ligands: atom transfer radical addition and controlled polymerisation

The homobimetallic ruthenium Schiff base complexes Ia–f mediated the atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) of carbon tetrachloride across olefins in excellent yields which markedly depended on the catalyst and the substrate used. The best catalytic system Ic is able to compete with the highest performing ruthenium catalysts reported so far for ATRA reactions. In addition these systems are also capable of performing atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) reactions with styrene in high yields and with good control over molecular weight and molecular weight distribution.