Biopolymer-Supported Ionic-Liquid-Phase Ruthenium Catalysts for Olefin Metathesis

Original ruthenium supported ionic liquid phase (SILP) catalysts based on alginates as supports were developed for olefin metathesis reactions. The marine biopolymer, which fulfills most of the requisite properties for a support such as widespread abundance, insolubility in the majority of organic solvents, a high affinity for ionic liquids, high chemical stability, biodegradability, low cost, and easy processing, was impregnated by [bmim][PF6] containing an ionically tagged ruthenium catalyst. These biosourced catalysts show promising performances in ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) and cross‐metathesis (CM) reactions, with a high level of recyclability and reusability combined with a good reactivity. Powerful, reusable, and recyclable catalytic materials based on supported ionic liquid phase (SILP) technology for ruthenium ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) and cross metathesis (CM) reactions are reported. The materials use alginate, a cheap, renewable and easily conditioned biopolymer, as support. Their excellent recyclability (15 cycles) combined with their high reactivity in either monophasic or biphasic conditions (use of cyclohexane) makes them excellent choices for RCM and CM reactions.