Ruthenium(III)-Catalyzed β‑Alkylation of Secondary Alcohols with Primary Alcohols

A Ru­(III)-NNN complex bearing a pyridyl-supported pyrazolyl-imidazolyl ligand was synthesized and utilized as the catalyst for the direct β-alkylation of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols. β-Alkylated secondary alcohols were obtained in moderate to high yields with water formed as the byproduct through a hydrogen borrowing pathway. The present protocol provides a concise atom-economical and environmentally benign method for C–C bond formation.