A pyridine-containing ruthenium-indenylidene complex: Synthesis and activity in ring-closing metathesis

The reaction of Cl₂Ru(PCy₃)₂(3-phenylindenylidene) with excess pyridine leads to the new pyridine-containing ruthenium-based complex: Cl₂Ru(PCy₃)(Py)₂(3-phenylindenylidene) in good yield. This catalyst has been fully characterized and tested in ring-closing metathesis. Its moderate activity has been examined by kinetic studies using several substrates and different reaction conditions.