Ruthenium-Catalyzed Hydrovinylation of N-Acetylenamines Leading to Amines with a Quaternary Carbon Center

A catalytic hydrovinylation of N-acetylenamines with ethylene is reported. This new hydrovinylation reaction is catalyzed by a ruthenium hydride complex, RuHCl(CO)(PCy3)(2), providing a series of N-acetylamines with a quaternary carbon center with up to 99% yield.