The invention relates to highly active and selective catalysts for alkyne metathesis. In one aspect, the invention includes a multidentate organic ligand wherein one substrate-binding site of the metal center is blocked. In another aspect, the invention includes N-quaternized or silane-based multidentate organic ligands, capable of binding to metals. In yet another aspect, the invention includes N-quaternized or silane-based multidentate catalysts. The catalysts of the invention show high robustness, strong resistance to small alkyne polymerization and significantly enhanced catalytic activity compared to their corresponding non-quaternized or non-silane-based multidentate catalyst analogs.