Decomposition of a Key Intermediate in Ruthenium-Catalyzed Olefin Metathesis Reactions

Dinuclear ruthenium complex, with a bridging carbide and a hydride ligand, and methyltricyclohexylphosphonium chloride result from thermal decomposition of olefin metathesis catalyst, (ImesH_2)(PCy)_3)(Cl)_2Ru CH_2. Involvement of dissociated phosphine in the decomposition is proposed. The dinuclear complex has catalytic olefin isomerization activity, which can be responsible for competing isomerization processes in certain olefin metathesis reactions