Ruthenium-Catalyzed ortho Alkenylation of Aromatics with Alkenes at Room Temperature with Hydrogen Evolution

A ruthenium-catalyzed oxidant-free highly regioselective ortho alkenylation of substituted aromatics such as aromatic amides, aromatic ketoximes, and anilides with alkenes in the presence of AgSbF₆ and acetic acid in ClCH₂CH₂Cl at room temperature is described. The alkenylation reaction provides ortho alkenylated aromatics along with evolution of H₂ gas. In the reaction, no oxidant was used, and the whole catalytic reaction has occurred without changing the oxidation state of the metal.