Synthesis and characterization of a homogeneous and silica supported homoleptic cationic tungsten(VI) methyl complex: application in olefin metathesis

A method for the synthesis of a homogeneous cationic tungsten(VI)penta-methyl complex [(WMe5)(+)(C6F5)(3)BMe-] from neutral tungstenhexamethyl (WMe6) and a silica supported cationic tungstentetramethyl complex [( Si-O-)WMe4+ (C6F5)(3)BMe-] from a neutral silica supported tungstenpentamethyl complex [( Si-O-)WMe5] is described. In both cases a direct demethylation using the B(C6F5)(3) reagent was used. The aforesaid complexes were characterized by liquid or solid state NMR spectroscopy. Interestingly, the homogeneous cationic complex [(WMe5)(+)(C6F5)(3)BMe-] shows moderate activity whereas the supported cationic complex [( Si-O-)WMe4+(C6F5)(3)BMe-] exhibits good activity in olefin metathesis reactions.