An efficient ring-closing metathesis reaction of geminally disubstituted olefins using first generation Grubbs’ catalyst: enantiospecific synthesis of pacifigorgianes

An efficient ring closing metathesis reaction with first generation Grubbs’ catalyst [PhCHRuCl2(PCy3)2] involving geminally disubstituted olefins has been discovered. It has been extended to the enantiospecific synthesis of pacifigorgiane sesquiterpenes.