Tandem olefin metathesis/hydrogenation at ambient temperature: activation of ruthenium carbene complexes by addition of hydrides

Abstract

Sodium hydride activates ruthenium carbene complexes to catalyze hydrogenation reactions subsequent to ring closing olefin metathesis. Under these conditions, hydrogenation of cyclopentenols proceeds smoothly at ambient temperature and under 1 atm of hydrogen in toluene. An alternative protocol was developed that involves the formation of hydrogen in situ by reaction of excess sodium hydride with protic functional groups and water.