10.1016/j.tetlet.2010.03.052
The research investigates the addition reaction of 2-phenylbenzoic acid onto unactivated olefins using Ru(II)–xantphos catalysis. The purpose is to develop an efficient and environmentally benign method for ester formation and subsequent alcohol preparation from olefins, which could serve as an alternative to existing methods like Brown’s hydroboration–oxidation. The study found that the use of Ru(II)–xantphos catalysis significantly increased the yield of ester products and shortened reaction times compared to other ligands. The catalytic system demonstrated broad substrate scope, successfully reacting with various unactivated olefins, including aliphatic and cyclic ones. Control experiments suggested that the Ru(II)–xantphos catalysis works differently from TfOH, likely activating the olefin substrate via a p–olefin complex. The research concluded by demonstrating a one-pot process for alcohol preparation from olefins using this catalytic system, with the starting carboxylic acid being recoverable.