Novel Dimerization, Alkoxylation, and Sulfidation of Olefins Catalyzed by RuCl3·nH2O

Novel ruthenium-catalyzed reactions that employ ruthenium trichloride n-hydrate (RuCl3·nH2O) were investigated and dimerization, alkoxylation and sulfidation of olefins were noted. Adducts of Markovnikov type and anti-Markovnikov type were obtained in a stereospecific manner and in good yield, depending on the type of olefins used as the starting materials.