Aqueous olefin metathesis: recent developments and applications

Abstract

Olefin metathesis is one of the most powerful C–C double-bond-forming reactions. Metathesis reactions have had a tremendous impact in organic synthesis, enabling a variety of applications in polymer chemistry, drug discovery and chemical biology. Although challenging, the possibility to perform aqueous metatheses has become an attractive alternative, not only because water is a more sustainable medium, but also to exploit biocompatible conditions. This review focuses on the progress made in aqueous olefin metatheses and their applications in chemical biology.

Keywords

• aqueous catalysis
• artificial metalloenzymes
• chemical biology
• green chemistry
• olefin metathesis
• ruthenium catalysts
• stapled peptides