Initiation of olefin metathesis: reaction of deca-2,8-diene with catalysts formed from Me4Sn–WCl6 and Me3Al2Cl3–(Ph3P)2(NO)2Cl2Mo

Abstract

The initial product of the metathesis of deca-2,8-diene with metathesis catalysts formed from either Me₄Sn–WCl₆ or Me₃Al₂Cl₃–(Ph₃P)₂(NO)₂Cl₂Mo is propene; labelling of the terminal groups of the diene and the alkylating agents gives a labelling pattern in the propene that is best explained in terms of generation of a carbene in the initiation step from the alkylating agent.