Ru(cod)(cot)-PPh3 (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, cot = 1,3,5-cyclooctatrie
ne) is an effective catalyst system for the intermolecular hydroacylat
ion of 1,3-dienes with aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes to give t
he corresponding beta,gamma-unsaturated ketones in reasonable yields.
In this reaction, carbon monoxide is not needed to suppress decarbonyl
ation of aldehydes. The key intermediate is an (acyl)(eta(3)-allyl)rut
henium complex which undergoes reductive elimination to give the corre
sponding ketones.