Ring-Closing Metathesis for Fluoroolefins Using Ruthenium Catalysts with Six-Membered NHC Ligands

Although olefin metathesis is a superior method for the construction of olefins, the synthesis of fluoroolefins remains challenging. In this study, we report the exploration of ruthenium catalysts suitable for the ring-closing metathesis of fluoroolefins. Using ruthenium catalysts with appropriate six-membered N-heterocyclic carbene ligands, we successfully synthesized various five- and six-membered fluorinated ring olefins. DFT calculations suggested that the strong electron-donating properties and moderate bulkiness of the N-heterocyclic carbene ligands played crucial roles.