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Chemistry · Glossary

What is Chauvin mechanism?

Definition 21.7 University Chemistry — Year 3 · Chapter 21 — Homogeneous Catalysis in Industry

The Chauvin mechanism of metathesis is the [2+2][2+2] cycloaddition of an alkene to a metal carbene, [M]=CHR\mathrm{[M]{=}CHR}, giving a metallacyclobutane, followed by its cycloreversion in the other direction, which releases a new alkene and a new carbene.

The Chauvin mechanism: a metal carbene and an alkene combine into a metallacyclobutane, which opens the other way to give a new carbene and a new alkene. Each step is reversible: metathesis reaches an equilibrium unless a product leaves.
The Chauvin mechanism: a metal carbene and an alkene combine into a metallacyclobutane, which opens the other way to give a new carbene and a new alkene. Each step is reversible: metathesis reaches an equilibrium unless a product leaves.
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