[RuCl2(p-cymene)]2-Catalyzed Conjugate Addition of Arylboronic Acids to α,β-Unsaturated Ketones under Ligand-Free and Neutral Conditions

A simple and efficient Ru-catalyzed conjugate addition reaction of arylboronic acids to alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones under neutral conditions without any additional ligands has been developed. This Ru(II)-catalytic system both fulfilled the inhibition of the beta-hydride elimination in the catalytic cycle and minimized the protonolysis of arylboronic acids.