Ruthenium-Catalyzed C-H Arylation and Alkenylation of Furfural Imines with Boronates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/ejoc.201800767

A Ru⁰-catalyzed direct C-H arylation and alkenylation of furfural imines with aryl- or alkenyl-boronates, in the presence of benzylideneacetone as a sacrificial hydride acceptor, is disclosed. This reaction provides access, after hydrolysis, to C3-arylated or vinylated furfural derivatives, and thus valorizes these relevant building-blocks obtained from lignocellulosic biomass. This approach, involving C-H activation by a Ru⁰/Ru^II, cycle offers several advantages, notably simple, mild and neutral reaction conditions.