Alkene-promoted NHC ligand substitution in orthometalated Ru–NHC complexes via σ-bond metathesis: a mechanistic insight

Herein, we report an unprecedented NHC ligand substitution around a ruthenium center, exploiting an orthometalated complex. Captivatingly, the employed metal complex here undergoes a unique σ-bond metathesis in the presence of an alkene and azolium salt, leading to facile exchange of ancillary NHC ligands at the Ru-center, which is not known to the best of our knowledge.