C−C Bond Formation via C−H Bond Activation Under Protic Conditions: On the Role of Phosphane Ligand and Cosolvent

Abstract

Effective conditions for the hydroarylation of vinylsilanes, allowing functionalization of various aromatic ketones in good yields at low temperature, using isopropanol, a protic solvent, are reported. Moreover, conducting this C−C bond-forming reaction under conditions similar to those used for hydride transfer reduction, the reduction of the ketone could be suppressed, simply by using acetone cosolvent as hydride acceptor. This reaction, conducted with an inexpensive and nontoxic solvent, constitutes the first C(sp2)−H activation under protic conditions with low-valent ruthenium complexes.