THE SYNTHESES AND ACTIVITIES OF POLYSTYRENE-SUPPORTED OLEFIN METATHESIS CATALYSTS BASED ON CL-2(PR(3))(2)RU=CH-CH=CPH(2)

A series of olefin metathesis catalysts based on the Cl-2(PR(3))(2)Ru=CH-CH=CPh(2) olefin metathesis catalysts have been attached to a 2% cross-linked polystyrene-divinylbenzene solid support. We have carried out a comparative activity study of these solid-phase catalysts and their homogeneous analogs and demonstrated that the lifetime of the supported ruthenium complexes can be extended through recycling and re-using the suported phase catalyst. These solid-phase catalysts constitute the first example of a polymer-supported well-defined olefin metathesis catalyst that produces living polymers in solution.