The invention is directed to ruthenium-based metathesis catalysts of the Hoveyda-Grubbs type. The new N-chelating diarylamino-based ruthenium catalysts described herein are stable in solid state and in solution and reveal rapid initiation behavior. Further, the corresponding N-substituted styrene precursor compounds are disclosed. The catalysts are prepared in a cross-metathesis reaction starting from N-substituted styrene precursors. The new Hoveyda-Grubbs type catalysts are suitable to catalyze ring-closing metathesis (RCM), cross metathesis (CM) and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Low catalyst loadings are sufficient to convert a wide range of substrates via metathesis reactions.