Ruthenium(0)-Catalyzed C-C Coupling of Alkynes and 3-Hydroxy-2-oxindoles: Direct C-H Vinylation of Alcohols.

Upon exposure to a ruthenium(0) catalyst, N-benzyl-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles react with diverse alkynes to form products of C-H vinylation with complete control of regioselectivity and olefin geometry. This method contributes to a growing body of catalytic processes that enable direct conversion of lower alcohols to higher alcohols in the absence of stoichiometric organometallic reagents.