Cross metathesis of (-)-β-pinene, (-)-limonene and terpenoids derived from limonene with internal olefins

Abstract The straightforward functionalization of sterically demanding α,α-disubstituted double bonds of β-pinene, (-)-limonene and (-)-limonene terpenoids has been achieved via cross metathesis with internal olefins. The reactions are catalyzed by second generation ruthenium catalysts in dimethyl carbonate as green solvent or under neat conditions. This transformation provides a clean process for the access to functionalized bulky cyclic terpenes where the terminal double bond generates a trisubstituted olefin.