Non-metathetic behavior patterns of Grubbs' carbene.

Grubbs' carbene complex [Cl(2)(Cy(3)P)(2)Ru=CHPh] and its second-generation counterpart [Cl(2)(Im)(Cy(3)P)Ru=CHPh] have demonstrated remarkable efficiency metathesizing olefins. Furthermore, a growing number of newly discovered catalytic processes mediated by this complex broaden its synthetic utility beyond olefin metathesis. In addition, the ready availability of these stable ruthenium-based catalysts coupled with their tolerance toward a wide variety of common functional groups make Grubbs' catalysts very convenient synthetic tools. This paper presents recent advances in the non-metathetic behavior patterns of Grubbs' carbene.