CH Bond Functionalization in Water Catalyzed by Carboxylato Ruthenium(II) Systems

Abstract

In water it's better: In-situ-generated [Ru(O2CR)2(arene)] catalysts efficiently perform the direct ortho-arylation of functional arenes with chloroarenes or chloroheterocycles in water (see scheme; KOPiv=potassium pivalate), without the need for a surfactant. The activity of these catalysts is higher in water than in organic solvents.