Metathesis of double bonds has enabled
innovation in a broad range
of fields: from materials science to medicine. However, this chemistry
has largely focused on alkenes rather than hetero-enes, or heteroatom-containing
double bonds. Yet, the ability to do hetero-ene metathesis could grant
access to valuable heteroatom-rich molecules. Catalysis of double
bond metathesis has classically, though not exclusively, relied on
the [2+2] cycloaddition/elimination mechanism, which in the case of
olefins involves transition metal alkylidenes. However, this mechanism
may not be ideal for some hetero-enes, nor is it uniquely suited for
the purposes of metathesis: other mechanisms are feasible and, in
some cases, precedented. In this Perspective, we present a general
framework for mechanistic design that would apply to hetero-ene metathesis,
with examples of reported transformations that justify this classification.
Advantages, challenges, and opportunities within each class of mechanisms
are also outlined. We hope that this Perspective will catalyze further
research in this burgeoning field.