A Missing Relative: A Hoveyda-Grubbs Metathesis Catalyst Bearing a Peri-Substituted Naphthalene Framework

Molecular scaffolds of polycydic aromatic hydrocarbons can serve as unique tools to control the molecular and electronic structure of coordination compounds. Herein, we report the synthesis and properties of a Hoveyda-Grubbs metathesis catalyst bearing a chelating benzylidene ligand assembled on pen-substituted naphthalene. In contrast to other reported naphthalene-based complexes (Barbasiewicz, M.; Grela, K et al. Chem. Bur. J. 2008, 14, 9330-9337), it exhibits a very fast initiation behavior, attributed to a distorted molecular structure and reduced pi-electron delocalization within the chelate ring.