Ruthenium complex-catalysed dimerization of norbornadiene to pentacyclotetradecadiene

Abstract

[Ru(cod)(cot)] catalyses an unusual dimerization of norbornadiene to give pentacyclo [5.4.2^1,7.1^3,6.0^10,13.0^12,14]tetradeca-4,8-diene in high yield (85%) with high selectivity, the structure of which is established by X-ray analysis of its brominated derivative, pentacyclo[5.4.2^1,7.1^3,6.0^10,13.0^12,14]-4,5,8,9-tetrabromotetradecane, to have five five-membered rings as a result of multi-carbon–carbon bond activationn.