Catalytic addition of C-H bonds to multiple bonds with the aid of ruthenium complexes

Ruthenium complexes, e.g., RuH₂(CO)(PPh₃)₃, have been found to catalyze the direct addition of ortho carbon-hydrogen bonds of aromatic ketones to olefins and acetylenes with high efficiency and selectivity. The C-H/olefin coupling reaction is applicable to not only C-H bonds in aromatic ketones but also to those in α,β-enones and aromatic esters. Catalytic addition of ortho carbon-hydrogen bonds of aromatic imines to olefins is found to be catalyzed by Ru₃(CO)₁₂.