Ruthenium-catalysed ortho alkylation of hydroxyacetophenones; The functionalisation of ring C aromatic diterpenoids

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(95)05893-T

Reaction of 2-, 3-, or 4-hydroxyacetophenone with a catalytic amount of a ruthenium complex and excess of a vinyltrialkoxysilane results in ortho alkylation in high yield, providing that a suitable protecting group is used. Bicyclic and tricyclic analogues react similarly.