Direct Ruthenium-Catalyzed C-C Coupling of Ethanol: Diene Hydro-hydroxyethylation To Form All-Carbon Quaternary Centers

Under ruthenium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation conditions, direct C C coupling of ethanol and 2-substituted dienes occurs to furnish products of hydro-hydroxyethylation: anti-configured neopentyl homoallylic alcohols. Identical adducts are generated from acetaldehyde under related conditions employing isopropanol as reductant.