Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed ortho C-O Bond formation of Substituted Aromatics with Oxygen Nucleophiles through C-H Bond Activation

Abstract

The present review describes a ruthenium-catalyzed ortho C-O bond formation such as hydroxylation, benzoxylation andacetoxylation of substituted aromatics with oxygen nucleophiles via C-H bond activation. Various oxygen sources such astrifluoroacetic anhydride, aromatic carboxylic acids and acetic acid are used as nucleophiles in the reaction. Most of thereactions shown in the review mechanistically proceeds via a concerted deprotonation ortho metalation pathway. A fivemembered ruthenacycle intermediate was proposed in the reactions. These reactions provide an efficient route for thesynthesis of ortho-hydroxy-, acetoxy- and benzoxy substituted aromatics in a highly regioselective manner in one pot.