Catalytic addition of ferrocenyl ketones to olefins with the aid of Ru(H)2(CO)(PPh3)3

The catalytic addition reactions of ferrocenyl ketones with terminal olefins in the presence of Ru(H)2(CO)(PPh3)3 as catalyst have been studied. Benzoylferrocene reacts with triethoxyvinylsilane, styrene and vinylferrocene, respectively, to give 1:1 coupling products I–III in high yields. CH bond cleavage takes place at the carbon atom of the benzene ring at the ortho position of the carbonyl group and CC bond formation takes place at the terminal carbon atom of the olefins. 2-Furoylferrocene reacts with vinylferrocene to give a 1:1 coupling product IV and the CH bond cleavage takes place at the carbon atom of the furan ring at the ortho position of the carbonyl group and the CC bond formation takes place at the terminal carbon atom of vinylferrocene. The new products I–IV have been characterized by elemental analysis, 1H-NMR and MS. The X-ray crystal structure of IV has been determined.