Synthesis and application of a new polystyrene-supported ruthenium carbene catalyst for alkene metathesis

A ruthenium carbene complex was permanently immobilised on a functionalised polystyrene resin by reaction with a supported silver salt of a carboxylic acid. The catalyst thus prepared was active in the self-metathesis of internal alkenes as well as in ring-closing metathesis. It was easily separated from the reaction products, which were almost free from ruthenium contamination, and also recycled.