RUTHENIUM-CATALYZED ISOMERIZATION OF HOMOALLYLIC ALCOHOLS IN WATER

Through the catalysts of RuCl2(PPh3)(3), the functional groups of homo allylic alcohols are repositioned to give allylic alcohols with contro lled regioselectivity. The reaction proceeds most efficiently in an aq ueous media. The selectivity in product formation is affected by the r eaction temperature and the amount of the catalyst being used. A highe r reaction temperature and the use of a smaller amount of the catalyst are preferable for the formation of allylic alcohols. The reaction pr ocess was postulated as a tandem olefin migration-allylic rearrangemen t. Under the same reaction conditions, the functional groups of allyli c alcohols undergo allylic rearrangements. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science L td. All rights reserved.