A tutorial review of stereoretentive olefin metathesis based on ruthenium dithiolate catalysts (Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry)

Abstract Stereoretentive olefin metathesis based on ruthenium dithiolate complexes has become a very active field of research within the past years. This unique catalyst class is able to kinetically produce both Z- and E-alkenes in high stereochemical purity (typically >95:5) starting from stereochemically pure Z- or E-alkenes. The aim of this tutorial review is to organize the reported information concerning ruthenium dithiolate catalysts in a logic manner, thus providing an `operators handbook` for chemists who wish to apply this methodology in synthesis. Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2018, 14, 2999–3010. doi:10.3762/bjoc.14.279