DIRECTING EFFECT OF FUNCTIONAL-GROUPS IN RUTHENIUM-CATALYZED ADDITIONOF SUBSTITUTED ACETOPHENONES TO AN OLEFIN

Ruthenium-catalyzed addition of 3'-methyl-, 3'-trifluoromethyl-, and 3 '-N,N-dimethylaminoacetophenones to an olefin proceeds site selectivel y at 6' C-H bonds to give the 1:1 C-H/olefin addition products in high yields. In contrast, the addition of 3'-methoxyacetophenone takes pla ce preferentially at the C-H bond at the more congested 2' position.