Ru-Catalyzed (E)-Specific ortho-C-H Alkenylation of Arenecarboxylic Acids by Coupling with Alkenyl Bromides.

In the presence of [p-cymene)RuCl2]2, (E)-configured alkenyl bromides couple with aromatic carboxylates to form ortho-vinylbenzoic acids. This C-H vinylation proceeds in high yields without any activating phosphine ligands and has an excellent functional group tolerance. Starting from commonly available (E/Z )-mixtures of alkenyl bromides, (E)-configured vinyl arenes or dienes are formed exclusively. Mechanistic studies show that this selectivity is achieved because the (E)-configured alkenyl bromides undergo a smooth coupling, whereas the (Z)-isomers are rapidly eliminated with the formation of alkynes.