Ruthenium Hydride Catalyzed Silylvinylation of Internal Alkynes Using Ethylene as an Additive

J Org Chem. 2015 Aug 21;80(16):8290-9. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.5b01374. Epub 2015 Aug 13.

Abstract

An efficient synthetic strategy for the regiospecific silylvinylation of internal alkynes is described. This transformation is catalyzed by RuHCl(CO)(SIMes)PPh3 and provides a net 5-exo-dig trans-silylvinylation of internal alkynes. Ethylene was used to decrease reaction times and displayed altered selectivity at increased pressure. Furthermore, alkyl-substituted alkynes were acceptable substrates at 80 psi of ethylene.