The present invention is directed to a method for the preparation of ruthenium catalyst (PCy.sub.3).sub.2Cl.sub.2Ru(phenylindenylidene) (Umicore catalyst M1). The method comprises a one-step reaction reacting the precursor compound (PPh.sub.3).sub.2Cl.sub.2Ru(3-phenylindenylidene) with PCy.sub.3 in a cyclic ether solvent (preferably THF) in concentrations in the range of 0.2 to 0.6 mol catalyst/l while simultaneously precipitating the product from the reaction mixture.

A cyclic ether solvate product with high crystallinity and high purity is obtained.

The invention concerns an alkane metathesis catalyst, its production and use. The catalyst comprises a Group V, VI or VII metal alkyl with the metal in its highest oxidation state, preferably Ta or W, and the alkyl of C1-C4, preferably together with alkylidene and/or alkylidyne ligands, in particular -Me, CH2 and CH, on a metal oxide support, preferably silica partially dehydroxylated at 200 or 700 C. Substrates include cycloalkanes, preferably cyclooctane.

Ruthenium complexes include those represented by Formula 1. A new process for producing the ruthenium complexes represented by the Formula 1. The ruthenium complexes represented by the Formula 1 are useful as precatalysts and/or catalysts in olefin metathesis reactions such as ring-closing metathesis, homometathesis, cross-metathesis, ethenolysis, isomerization reaction, diastereoselective ring-rearrangement metathesis, alkene-alkyne type metathesis, ring-opening metathesis polymerization, and metathetic depolymerization.

Use of compounds selected from copper complexes having at least one organic ligand and ruthenium complexes having at least one organic ligand, for activating olefin metathesis ruthenium (pre)catalysts in a metathesis reaction, in particular in the ring opening metathesis polymerization reaction (ROMP).

an olefin metathesis catalyst represented by the structure of Formula (I)

##STR00001## wherein: R1 is hydrogen or alkyl; R2 is selected from hydrogen, straight chain alkyl, branched chain alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, silyloxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclic or an electron-withdrawing group; X1 and X2 are the same or different anionic ligands and/or are linked together to form a ring or a ring system; R3 is adamantyl, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl; R3a is alkyl or aryl; or together with R4 can form a cycloalkyl or heterocyclic ring; and R4 is alkyl or aryl; or together with R3a can form a cycloalkyl or heterocyclic ring; R11, R12, R13 and R14 are independently hydrogen, unsubstituted alkyl, substituted alkyl, unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted aryl, substituted aryl, unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, unsubstituted aralkyl, substituted aralkyl, unsubstituted heteroaralkyl or substituted heteroaralkyl; R5, R6, R7 and R8 are, independently from each other, selected from hydrogen, straight chain or branched alkyl groups, alkoxy, alkylthio, silyloxy, alkylamino, or electron-withdrawing groups.

A composition is described comprising a ring opening metathesis polymerization catalyst or precatalyst thereof; and an unreactive dispersant having a viscosity at 25 C. of at least 10 Pa.Math.sec at a shear rate of 1 1/sec. Also described is a cartridge (e.g. or a dispensing and mixing apparatus) comprising such composition. The cartridge typically comprises a first chamber comprising unpolymerized cyclic olefin; and a second chamber comprising the catalyst and dispersant. Also described are compositions including two-part compositions and methods of bonding a substrate.

Ruthenium complexes include those represented by Formula 1. A new process for producing the ruthenium complexes represented by the Formula 1. The ruthenium complexes represented by the Formula 1 are useful as precatalysts and/or catalysts in olefin metathesis reactions such as ring-closing metathesis, homometathesis, cross-metathesis, ethenolysis, isomerization reaction, diastereoselective ring-rearrangement metathesis, alkene-alkyne type metathesis, ring-opening metathesis polymerization, and metathetic depolymerization.

The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): as well as stereoisomeric forms, mixtures of stereoisomeric forms, and salts thereof, wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are as defined in claim 1. Compounds of formula (I) are particularly useful for preparing coordination metal or metalloid complexes for the catalysis of ring opening polymerisation of cyclic esters.

##STR00001##

An improved catalyst for cyclic olefin polymerization. The catalyst includes a transition metal carbene having the following structure: M.sup.v(OR).sub.c*mX.sub.(v-c*m-2)C(R*).sub.2 wherein M.sup.v is a Group 5 transition metal having a valence (v) of 5 or a Group 6 transition metal having a valence (v) of 5 or 6; each R is independently a monovalent organic moiety comprising from 8 to 40 atoms selected from Groups 14-17; c is an integer from 1 to 3; m is 1/3, 1/2, 1, 3/2, 2, 3, or 4 and c*mv2; X is a halogen; and each R* is independently H or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.7 alkyl. The catalyst is particularly useful for ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP).