Isomerization of Propargylic Alcohols into α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds Catalyzed by the Sixteen‐Electron Allyl‐Ruthenium(II) Complex [Ru(η³‐2‐C₃H₄Me)(CO)(dppf)][SbF₆]

Abstract

Abstract The 16‐e − (η 3 ‐allyl)‐ruthenium(II) complex [Ru(η 3 ‐2‐C 3 H 4 Me)(CO)(dppf)][SbF 6 ] is an efficient catalyst for the regioselective isomerization of terminal propargylic alcohols HCCCR 1 R 2 (OH) into α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes R 1 R 2 CCHCHO or ketones R 3 R 4 CC(R 1 )COMe (if R 2 =CHR 3 R 4 ) under mild conditions. This complex has been also used as catalyst for the preparation of conjugated 1,3‐enynes via dehydration of propargylic alcohols.