Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Monoalkenylation of Aromatic Ketones by Cleavage of Carbon–Heteroatom Bonds with Unconventional Chemoselectivity

Abstract

Ruthenium-catalyzed selective monoalkenylation of ortho C-O or C-N bonds of aromatic ketones was achieved. The reaction allowed the direct comparison of the relative reactivities of the cleavage of different carbon-heteroatom bonds, thus suggesting an unconventional chemoselectivity, where smaller, more-electron-donating groups are more easily cleaved. Selective monofunctionalization of C-O bonds in the presence of ortho C-H bonds was also achieved.