When alkene 1 and 2 or unsymmetrical subst.

d alkene 3 is treated with suitable transitionmetal catalyst,mixture of products including E/Z isomers from interchange of alkylidene moieties. Synthetic applications are in form of ring-closing metathesis and ring opening metathesis. The initial alkylidene complex formed from small amount of starting alkene and some compound of transition metal. Carbon-Carbon double bond of 1 reacts with 4 to form,metalacyclobutane 5.This four membered ring intermediate decomposes and results in interchange of alkylidene groups to form 3 together with new transition metal alkylidene complex.6.

Mechanism :

7 is example of catalyst.Ring closing metathesis shown below employs catalyst which is selective towards terminal alkene.C2H4 is removed from solution to drive reaction to right.

Ring opening metathesis :Reversal of ring-closing metathesis,

Ring opening metathesis polymerization : The metal-lakylidene complex (carbebe complex)on arrow acts as initiating reagent.Termination of 15 is carried out by reactiong aldehydic oxygen with metal end.