Ruthenium Oxidase Catalysis for Site-Selective C-H Alkenylations with Ambient O2 as the Sole Oxidant

Abstract

Ruthenium(II) oxidase catalysis by direct dioxygen-coupled turnover enabled step-economical oxidative C-H alkenylation reactions at ambient pressure. Versatile ruthenium(II) biscarboxylate catalysts displayed ample substrate scope and proved applicable to weakly coordinating and removable directing groups. The twofold C-H functionalization strategy was characterized by exceedingly mild reaction conditions as well as excellent positional selectivity.

Keywords: CH activation; alkenes; oxidation; ruthenium; synthetic methods.