Facile one-step synthesis of bis(NHC) ruthenium benzylidene catalyst for ring-closing metathesis

Bis(NHC) ruthenium benzylidene complex (H2IMe)2(Cl)2Rudouble bond; length as m-dashCHPh (9) [H2IMe = 1,3-bis(2,6- dimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene] was synthesized facilely by one-step reaction of (PPh3)2(Cl)2Rudouble bond; length as m-dashCHPh (7) with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) H2IMe (6). Complex 9 proved to exhibit remarkable catalytic activity for ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction at increased temperature.