{"id":{"repo_id":"mit","oai_identifier":"oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/57568"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/mit/oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/57568","repository":{"repo_id":"mit","name":"MIT","base_url":"https://dspace.mit.edu/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"The evolution of molybdenum and tungsten olefin metathesis catalysts","abstract":"Chapter 1: Reaction of Mo(NR)(CHR')(OTf)2(dme) (R = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3 (Ar), 2,6-Me2C6H3 (Ar'), 2,6-Cl2C6H3 (ArCl), 1-adamantyl (Ad); R' = CMe2Ph, CMe3; dme = dimethoxyethane) with the lithium salt of ArCl-nacnac ([2,6-Cl2C6H3NC(Me)]2CH), led to complexes of the type Mo(NR)(CHCMe2R')(OTf)(ArCl-nacnac). Treatment of these compounds with Na{BArF 4} (ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) afforded rare examples of cationic imido alkylidene complexes, {Mo(NR)(CHR')(OTf)(ArCl-nacnac)}{BArF 4}. Addition of {HNMe2Ph}{BArF 4} to Mo(NR)(CHR')(L)2 (L = NC4H4 (Pyr), 2,5-Me2NC4H2 (Me2Pyr)) in THF produced {Mo(NR)(CHR')(L)(THF)x}{BArF 4} (x = 2 for Me2Pyr or 3 for Pyr). Addition of alcohol or phenol to {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(Pyr)(THF)3}{BArF 4} produced {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OR\")(THF)x}{BArF 4} (R\" = CMe(CF3)2 (x = 2 or 3), Ar (x = 1), Ad (x = 2)). Complexes Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(MesPyr)2 (MesPyr = 2- mesitylpyrrolide), Mo(NAd)(CHCMe3)(MesPyr)2, and Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OTf)(BinaphPPh2) (BinaphPPh2 = (R)-2'-(diphenylphosphino)- [1,1'-binaphthalen]-2-oxide) were also generated. The solid-state structures of Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OTf)(ArCl-nacnac), {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(ArClnacnac)}{ BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(Pyr)(THF)3}{BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OCMe(CF3)2)(THF)3}{BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(OCMe(CF3)2)(THF)3}{BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(CH2CMe2Ph)(OAr)2}{BArF 4}, Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(MesPyr)2, and Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OTf)(BinaphPPh2) have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The initial reactivity with simple olefins employing many of these new alkylidenes was explored. Chapter 2: Two diastereomers of the MAP (monoaryloxidepyrrolide) species, W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OBitetBr2) (OBitetBr2 = (R)-3,3'-dibromo-2'-(tertbutyldimethylsilyloxy)- 5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-binaphthyl-2-olate), were generated through addition of HOBitetBr2 to W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)2. The unsubstituted tungstacyclobutane species, W(NAr)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OBitetBr2), was isolated by exposing the methylidene species to ethylene. A variety of NMR experiments were carried out on the methylidene and metallacycle to elucidate the exchange process between these species. Neophylidene W(NR)(CHCMe2Ph)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP) (OTPP = 2,3,5,6-tetraphenylphenoxide), methylidene W(NR)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP), and 6 tungstacyclobutane W(NR)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP) were prepared. Treatment of W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP) with PMe3 yielded yellow W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP)(PMe3). NMR studies on compounds W(NAr)(C3H6)(Pyr)(OHIPT) (OHIPT = 2,6-bis-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)phenoxide) and Mo(NAr)(C3H6)(Pyr)(OHIPT) were carried out to examine the exchange process between the metallacyclobutane and the methylidene. Compounds W(NAr)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OBitetBr2), W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP), W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP)(THF), W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP)(PMe3), W(NAr)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP), Mo(NAr)(CH2)(Pyr)(OHIPT), Mo(NAd)(CHCMe3)(Pyr)(OHIPT), and W(NAr)(C3H6)(Pyr)(OHIPT) were crystallographically characterized. Chapter 3: Molybdenum and tungsten catalysts of the type M(NR)(CHR')(Pyr)(OR'') were prepared for highly Z-selective homocoupling metathesis of terminal olefins. Substrates screened were: 1-hexene, 1-octene, allylbenzene, allyltrimethylsilane, methyl-9-decenoate, methyl- 10-undecenoate, allylboronic acid pinacol ester, allylbenzylether, allyltosylamide, Nallylaniline, allyloxy(tert-butyl)dimethylsilane, and allylcyclohexane. Homocoupled products were isolated in moderate yields employing <1 mol% catalyst loading and with >90% Z-selectivity. Chapter 4: Exposing Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(MesPyr)2 to two equivalents of HOCH(CF3)2 afforded Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(OCH(CF3)2)2(Et2O). Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(OCH(CF3)2)(Et2O) was shown to isomerize and metathesize olefins such as propene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene at elevated temperatures. Evidence of isomerization and olefin metathesis was also observed with complexes Mo(NAd)(C2H4)(Pyr)(OHIPT) and Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(Me2Pyr)(OAr).","abstract_html":"Chapter 1: Reaction of Mo(NR)(CHR&#x27;)(OTf)2(dme) (R = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3 (Ar), 2,6-Me2C6H3 (Ar&#x27;), 2,6-Cl2C6H3 (ArCl), 1-adamantyl (Ad); R&#x27; = CMe2Ph, CMe3; dme = dimethoxyethane) with the lithium salt of ArCl-nacnac ([2,6-Cl2C6H3NC(Me)]2CH), led to complexes of the type Mo(NR)(CHCMe2R&#x27;)(OTf)(ArCl-nacnac). Treatment of these compounds with Na{BArF 4} (ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) afforded rare examples of cationic imido alkylidene complexes, {Mo(NR)(CHR&#x27;)(OTf)(ArCl-nacnac)}{BArF 4}. Addition of {HNMe2Ph}{BArF 4} to Mo(NR)(CHR&#x27;)(L)2 (L = NC4H4 (Pyr), 2,5-Me2NC4H2 (Me2Pyr)) in THF produced {Mo(NR)(CHR&#x27;)(L)(THF)x}{BArF 4} (x = 2 for Me2Pyr or 3 for Pyr). Addition of alcohol or phenol to {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(Pyr)(THF)3}{BArF 4} produced {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OR&quot;)(THF)x}{BArF 4} (R&quot; = CMe(CF3)2 (x = 2 or 3), Ar (x = 1), Ad (x = 2)). Complexes Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(MesPyr)2 (MesPyr = 2- mesitylpyrrolide), Mo(NAd)(CHCMe3)(MesPyr)2, and Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OTf)(BinaphPPh2) (BinaphPPh2 = (R)-2&#x27;-(diphenylphosphino)- [1,1&#x27;-binaphthalen]-2-oxide) were also generated. The solid-state structures of Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OTf)(ArCl-nacnac), {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(ArClnacnac)}{ BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(Pyr)(THF)3}{BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OCMe(CF3)2)(THF)3}{BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(OCMe(CF3)2)(THF)3}{BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(CH2CMe2Ph)(OAr)2}{BArF 4}, Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(MesPyr)2, and Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OTf)(BinaphPPh2) have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The initial reactivity with simple olefins employing many of these new alkylidenes was explored. Chapter 2: Two diastereomers of the MAP (monoaryloxidepyrrolide) species, W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OBitetBr2) (OBitetBr2 = (R)-3,3&#x27;-dibromo-2&#x27;-(tertbutyldimethylsilyloxy)- 5,5&#x27;,6,6&#x27;,7,7&#x27;,8,8&#x27;-octahydro-1,1&#x27;-binaphthyl-2-olate), were generated through addition of HOBitetBr2 to W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)2. The unsubstituted tungstacyclobutane species, W(NAr)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OBitetBr2), was isolated by exposing the methylidene species to ethylene. A variety of NMR experiments were carried out on the methylidene and metallacycle to elucidate the exchange process between these species. Neophylidene W(NR)(CHCMe2Ph)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP) (OTPP = 2,3,5,6-tetraphenylphenoxide), methylidene W(NR)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP), and 6 tungstacyclobutane W(NR)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP) were prepared. Treatment of W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP) with PMe3 yielded yellow W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP)(PMe3). NMR studies on compounds W(NAr)(C3H6)(Pyr)(OHIPT) (OHIPT = 2,6-bis-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)phenoxide) and Mo(NAr)(C3H6)(Pyr)(OHIPT) were carried out to examine the exchange process between the metallacyclobutane and the methylidene. Compounds W(NAr)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OBitetBr2), W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP), W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP)(THF), W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP)(PMe3), W(NAr)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP), Mo(NAr)(CH2)(Pyr)(OHIPT), Mo(NAd)(CHCMe3)(Pyr)(OHIPT), and W(NAr)(C3H6)(Pyr)(OHIPT) were crystallographically characterized. Chapter 3: Molybdenum and tungsten catalysts of the type M(NR)(CHR&#x27;)(Pyr)(OR&#x27;&#x27;) were prepared for highly Z-selective homocoupling metathesis of terminal olefins. Substrates screened were: 1-hexene, 1-octene, allylbenzene, allyltrimethylsilane, methyl-9-decenoate, methyl- 10-undecenoate, allylboronic acid pinacol ester, allylbenzylether, allyltosylamide, Nallylaniline, allyloxy(tert-butyl)dimethylsilane, and allylcyclohexane. Homocoupled products were isolated in moderate yields employing &lt;1 mol% catalyst loading and with &gt;90% Z-selectivity. Chapter 4: Exposing Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(MesPyr)2 to two equivalents of HOCH(CF3)2 afforded Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(OCH(CF3)2)2(Et2O). Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(OCH(CF3)2)(Et2O) was shown to isomerize and metathesize olefins such as propene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene at elevated temperatures. Evidence of isomerization and olefin metathesis was also observed with complexes Mo(NAd)(C2H4)(Pyr)(OHIPT) and Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(Me2Pyr)(OAr).","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["King, Annie Jinying Hannah"],"institution":"Massachusetts Institute of Technology","degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":"Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemistry.","school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":["Richard R. Schrock."],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2010,"date_issued":"2010","date_published":"2010","updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:21:39Z","subjects":["Chemistry."],"languages":["eng"],"rights":["M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission."],"rights_urls":["http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582"],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/57568","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.advisor","label":"Advisor","values":["Richard R. Schrock."]},{"key":"dc:contributor.department","label":"Department","values":["Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemistry."]},{"key":"dc:contributor.other","label":"Dc Contributor Other","values":["Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemistry."]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["King, Annie Jinying Hannah"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2010-08-26T15:41:09Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2010-08-26T15:41:09Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2010"]},{"key":"dc:publisher","label":"Institution","values":["Massachusetts Institute of Technology"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Chemistry."]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language.iso","label":"Language (ISO)","values":["eng"]},{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission."]},{"key":"dc:rights.uri","label":"Rights URI","values":["http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/57568"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description","label":"Description","values":["Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemistry, 2010.","This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.","Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.","Includes bibliographical references."]},{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Chapter 1: Reaction of Mo(NR)(CHR')(OTf)2(dme) (R = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3 (Ar), 2,6-Me2C6H3 (Ar'), 2,6-Cl2C6H3 (ArCl), 1-adamantyl (Ad); R' = CMe2Ph, CMe3; dme = dimethoxyethane) with the lithium salt of ArCl-nacnac ([2,6-Cl2C6H3NC(Me)]2CH), led to complexes of the type Mo(NR)(CHCMe2R')(OTf)(ArCl-nacnac). Treatment of these compounds with Na{BArF 4} (ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) afforded rare examples of cationic imido alkylidene complexes, {Mo(NR)(CHR')(OTf)(ArCl-nacnac)}{BArF 4}. Addition of {HNMe2Ph}{BArF 4} to Mo(NR)(CHR')(L)2 (L = NC4H4 (Pyr), 2,5-Me2NC4H2 (Me2Pyr)) in THF produced {Mo(NR)(CHR')(L)(THF)x}{BArF 4} (x = 2 for Me2Pyr or 3 for Pyr). Addition of alcohol or phenol to {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(Pyr)(THF)3}{BArF 4} produced {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OR\")(THF)x}{BArF 4} (R\" = CMe(CF3)2 (x = 2 or 3), Ar (x = 1), Ad (x = 2)). Complexes Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(MesPyr)2 (MesPyr = 2- mesitylpyrrolide), Mo(NAd)(CHCMe3)(MesPyr)2, and Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OTf)(BinaphPPh2) (BinaphPPh2 = (R)-2'-(diphenylphosphino)- [1,1'-binaphthalen]-2-oxide) were also generated. The solid-state structures of Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OTf)(ArCl-nacnac), {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(ArClnacnac)}{ BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(Pyr)(THF)3}{BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OCMe(CF3)2)(THF)3}{BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(OCMe(CF3)2)(THF)3}{BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(CH2CMe2Ph)(OAr)2}{BArF 4}, Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(MesPyr)2, and Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OTf)(BinaphPPh2) have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The initial reactivity with simple olefins employing many of these new alkylidenes was explored. Chapter 2: Two diastereomers of the MAP (monoaryloxidepyrrolide) species, W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OBitetBr2) (OBitetBr2 = (R)-3,3'-dibromo-2'-(tertbutyldimethylsilyloxy)- 5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-binaphthyl-2-olate), were generated through addition of HOBitetBr2 to W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)2. The unsubstituted tungstacyclobutane species, W(NAr)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OBitetBr2), was isolated by exposing the methylidene species to ethylene. A variety of NMR experiments were carried out on the methylidene and metallacycle to elucidate the exchange process between these species. Neophylidene W(NR)(CHCMe2Ph)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP) (OTPP = 2,3,5,6-tetraphenylphenoxide), methylidene W(NR)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP), and 6 tungstacyclobutane W(NR)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP) were prepared. Treatment of W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP) with PMe3 yielded yellow W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP)(PMe3). NMR studies on compounds W(NAr)(C3H6)(Pyr)(OHIPT) (OHIPT = 2,6-bis-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)phenoxide) and Mo(NAr)(C3H6)(Pyr)(OHIPT) were carried out to examine the exchange process between the metallacyclobutane and the methylidene. Compounds W(NAr)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OBitetBr2), W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP), W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP)(THF), W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP)(PMe3), W(NAr)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP), Mo(NAr)(CH2)(Pyr)(OHIPT), Mo(NAd)(CHCMe3)(Pyr)(OHIPT), and W(NAr)(C3H6)(Pyr)(OHIPT) were crystallographically characterized. Chapter 3: Molybdenum and tungsten catalysts of the type M(NR)(CHR')(Pyr)(OR'') were prepared for highly Z-selective homocoupling metathesis of terminal olefins. Substrates screened were: 1-hexene, 1-octene, allylbenzene, allyltrimethylsilane, methyl-9-decenoate, methyl- 10-undecenoate, allylboronic acid pinacol ester, allylbenzylether, allyltosylamide, Nallylaniline, allyloxy(tert-butyl)dimethylsilane, and allylcyclohexane. Homocoupled products were isolated in moderate yields employing <1 mol% catalyst loading and with >90% Z-selectivity. Chapter 4: Exposing Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(MesPyr)2 to two equivalents of HOCH(CF3)2 afforded Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(OCH(CF3)2)2(Et2O). Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(OCH(CF3)2)(Et2O) was shown to isomerize and metathesize olefins such as propene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene at elevated temperatures. Evidence of isomerization and olefin metathesis was also observed with complexes Mo(NAd)(C2H4)(Pyr)(OHIPT) and Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(Me2Pyr)(OAr)."]},{"key":"dc:description.degree","label":"Dc Description Degree","values":["Ph.D."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["The evolution of molybdenum and tungsten olefin metathesis catalysts"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.advisor":["Richard R. Schrock."],"dc:contributor.department":["Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemistry."],"dc:contributor.other":["Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemistry."],"dc:creator":["King, Annie Jinying Hannah"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2010-08-26T15:41:09Z"],"dc:date.available":["2010-08-26T15:41:09Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2010"],"dc:description":["Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemistry, 2010.","This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.","Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.","Includes bibliographical references."],"dc:description.abstract":["Chapter 1: Reaction of Mo(NR)(CHR')(OTf)2(dme) (R = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3 (Ar), 2,6-Me2C6H3 (Ar'), 2,6-Cl2C6H3 (ArCl), 1-adamantyl (Ad); R' = CMe2Ph, CMe3; dme = dimethoxyethane) with the lithium salt of ArCl-nacnac ([2,6-Cl2C6H3NC(Me)]2CH), led to complexes of the type Mo(NR)(CHCMe2R')(OTf)(ArCl-nacnac). Treatment of these compounds with Na{BArF 4} (ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) afforded rare examples of cationic imido alkylidene complexes, {Mo(NR)(CHR')(OTf)(ArCl-nacnac)}{BArF 4}. Addition of {HNMe2Ph}{BArF 4} to Mo(NR)(CHR')(L)2 (L = NC4H4 (Pyr), 2,5-Me2NC4H2 (Me2Pyr)) in THF produced {Mo(NR)(CHR')(L)(THF)x}{BArF 4} (x = 2 for Me2Pyr or 3 for Pyr). Addition of alcohol or phenol to {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(Pyr)(THF)3}{BArF 4} produced {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OR\")(THF)x}{BArF 4} (R\" = CMe(CF3)2 (x = 2 or 3), Ar (x = 1), Ad (x = 2)). Complexes Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(MesPyr)2 (MesPyr = 2- mesitylpyrrolide), Mo(NAd)(CHCMe3)(MesPyr)2, and Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OTf)(BinaphPPh2) (BinaphPPh2 = (R)-2'-(diphenylphosphino)- [1,1'-binaphthalen]-2-oxide) were also generated. The solid-state structures of Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OTf)(ArCl-nacnac), {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(ArClnacnac)}{ BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(Pyr)(THF)3}{BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OCMe(CF3)2)(THF)3}{BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(OCMe(CF3)2)(THF)3}{BArF 4}, {Mo(NAr)(CH2CMe2Ph)(OAr)2}{BArF 4}, Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(MesPyr)2, and Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OTf)(BinaphPPh2) have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The initial reactivity with simple olefins employing many of these new alkylidenes was explored. Chapter 2: Two diastereomers of the MAP (monoaryloxidepyrrolide) species, W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OBitetBr2) (OBitetBr2 = (R)-3,3'-dibromo-2'-(tertbutyldimethylsilyloxy)- 5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-binaphthyl-2-olate), were generated through addition of HOBitetBr2 to W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)2. The unsubstituted tungstacyclobutane species, W(NAr)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OBitetBr2), was isolated by exposing the methylidene species to ethylene. A variety of NMR experiments were carried out on the methylidene and metallacycle to elucidate the exchange process between these species. Neophylidene W(NR)(CHCMe2Ph)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP) (OTPP = 2,3,5,6-tetraphenylphenoxide), methylidene W(NR)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP), and 6 tungstacyclobutane W(NR)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP) were prepared. Treatment of W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP) with PMe3 yielded yellow W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP)(PMe3). NMR studies on compounds W(NAr)(C3H6)(Pyr)(OHIPT) (OHIPT = 2,6-bis-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)phenoxide) and Mo(NAr)(C3H6)(Pyr)(OHIPT) were carried out to examine the exchange process between the metallacyclobutane and the methylidene. Compounds W(NAr)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OBitetBr2), W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP), W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP)(THF), W(NAr)(CH2)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP)(PMe3), W(NAr)(C3H6)(Me2Pyr)(OTPP), Mo(NAr)(CH2)(Pyr)(OHIPT), Mo(NAd)(CHCMe3)(Pyr)(OHIPT), and W(NAr)(C3H6)(Pyr)(OHIPT) were crystallographically characterized. Chapter 3: Molybdenum and tungsten catalysts of the type M(NR)(CHR')(Pyr)(OR'') were prepared for highly Z-selective homocoupling metathesis of terminal olefins. Substrates screened were: 1-hexene, 1-octene, allylbenzene, allyltrimethylsilane, methyl-9-decenoate, methyl- 10-undecenoate, allylboronic acid pinacol ester, allylbenzylether, allyltosylamide, Nallylaniline, allyloxy(tert-butyl)dimethylsilane, and allylcyclohexane. Homocoupled products were isolated in moderate yields employing <1 mol% catalyst loading and with >90% Z-selectivity. Chapter 4: Exposing Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(MesPyr)2 to two equivalents of HOCH(CF3)2 afforded Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(OCH(CF3)2)2(Et2O). Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(OCH(CF3)2)(Et2O) was shown to isomerize and metathesize olefins such as propene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene at elevated temperatures. Evidence of isomerization and olefin metathesis was also observed with complexes Mo(NAd)(C2H4)(Pyr)(OHIPT) and Mo(NAr)(C2H4)(Me2Pyr)(OAr)."],"dc:description.degree":["Ph.D."],"dc:identifier.uri":["http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/57568"],"dc:language.iso":["eng"],"dc:publisher":["Massachusetts Institute of Technology"],"dc:rights":["M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission."],"dc:rights.uri":["http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582"],"dc:subject":["Chemistry."],"dc:title":["The evolution of molybdenum and tungsten olefin metathesis catalysts"],"dc:type":["Thesis"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:21:39Z"}