Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed C–H Alkenylation of Quinones: Diversity‐Oriented Strategy for Trypanocidal Compounds

Abstract

Ruthenium(II)‐catalysis enabled C–H alkenylations of unactivated naphthoquinones for the preparation of A‐ring‐modified naphthoquinoidal compounds with activity against Trypanosoma cruzi , the parasite causing Chagas disease. The present study encompasses C–H alkenylation by weak O ‐coordination by means of ruthenium(II) carboxylates. This method provided an efficient and versatile tool towards a diversity‐oriented strategy for the preparation of compounds with a relevant biological profile.