EFFICIENT CATALYTIC ADDITION OF AROMATIC CARBON-HYDROGEN BONDS TO OLEFINS

The selective cleavage of carbon-hydrogen bonds in organic compounds i s a critical step in many organic syntheses, and is particularly impor tant in the conversion of hydrocarbons to useful organic compounds. An organometallic ruthenium complex can cleave C-H bonds in a variety of aromatic systems, leading to addition to alkenes by C-C bond formatio n. The catalyst operates with a degree of efficiency, selectivity and generality that will make it extremely valuable in organic synthesis.