Ruthenium- and rhodium-catalyzed oxidative alkylation of C-H bonds: efficient access to β-aryl ketones

Ruthenium- and rhodium-catalyzed oxidative couplings between versatile directed aromatic C-H bonds and allylic alcohols have been achieved. This method provides efficient synthesis of functional beta-aryl ketones and aldehydes in good to excellent yields, and the carbonyl group in the desired products was a significant synthon for organic synthesis.