Deactivation of Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalysts through Intramolecular Carbene–Arene Bond Formation

Oxygen knocks it out: Olefin metathesis catalysts without steric hindrance in the ortho positions of the N-aryl substituents can be transformed into catalytically inactive ruthenium complexes through CH activation (see scheme). This process presumably proceeds by a pericyclic reaction and is rendered irreversible by oxygen. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2007/z702560_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.