Stereodivergent ruthenium-catalyzed transfer semihydrogenation of diaryl alkynes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/chem.201003662

[Ru₃(CO)₁₂]-catalyzed transfer semihydrogenation of various functionalized diaryl alkynes with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and water as hydrogen source affords cis- and trans-stilbenes. The stereodivergent approach can be switched by the use of acetic (HOAc) or trifluoroacetic (TFA) acid as additives. The catalytic processes can be applied to the synthesis of analogues of natural products such as cis-combretastatin A-4 and trans-resveratrol. Copyright