Unprecedented amido derivatives of the first‐, second‐, and third‐generation Grubbs ruthenium catalysts were prepared, characterized, and tested in ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) of model dienes. In the ruthenium–amide (formally: 2‐ruthenaindole) form, these complexes exhibit nearly no activity in RCM. However, a dramatic increase of activity was observed upon in situ activation with an ethereal solution of HCl (see figure).

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Silyl-and phenylacetylenes undergo efficient homodimerization in the presence of a second generation Grubbs catalyst. The reaction permits fully regio-and stereoselective synthesis of disubstituted 1,3-enynes. The other commonly used ruthenium-based olefin metathesis catalysts remain inactive in the reaction.

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The first generation Grubbs catalyst [Cl(2){P(C(6)H(11))(3)}(2)Ru=C(H)Ph] reacts efficiently with alkynylsilanes in the presence of water to give the styryl carbene complex [Cl(2){P(C(6)H(11))}(2) Ru=C(CH=CHPh)H] and disiloxane.