Reactions of Mo(NAr)(CH-t-Bu)(CH2-t-Bu)2 with alcohols to give metathesis catalysts of the type Mo(NAr)(CH-t-Bu)(CH2-t-Bu)(OR)

The reaction between Mo(NAr)(CH-t-Bu)-(CH2 -t-Bu)(2) and 1 equiv of an alcohol yields either Mo(NAr)(CH-t-Bu)(CH2-t-Bu)(OR) complexes or Mo-(NAr)(CH2-t-Bu)(OR) complexes, which evolve neopentane to yield the former. Preliminary experiments have shown that Mo(NAr)(CH-t-Bu)(CH2-t-Bu)(2)(OR) complexes are active for metathesis conversion of diallyl ether to dihydrofuran and ethylene.