A solid-supported phosphine-free ruthenium alkylidene for olefin metathesis in methanol and water.

The synthesis and olefin metathesis activity in protic solvents of 7, a phosphine-free ruthenium alkylidene bound to a hydrophilic solid support are reported. This heterogeneous catalyst promotes relatively efficient ring closing- and cross-metathesis reactions in both methanol and water. The potential utility of homogeneous catalyst 2 for olefin metathesis in methanol is also demonstrated.