Ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed C–H functionalizations on benzoic acids with aryl, alkenyl and alkynyl halides by weak-O-coordination

Abstract

C–H arylations of weakly coordinating benzoic acids were achieved by versatile ruthenium(II) catalysis with ample substrate scope. Thus, user-friendly ruthenium(II) biscarboxylate complexes modified with tricyclohexylphosphine enabled C–H functionalizations with aryl electrophiles. The unique versatility of the ruthenium(II) catalysis manifold was reflected by facilitating effective C–H activations with aryl, alkenyl and alkynyl halides.