Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed C-H functionalizations on benzoic acids with aryl, alkenyl and alkynyl halides by weak-O-coordination

C-H arylations of weakly coordinating benzoic acids were achieved by versatile ruthenium(II) catalysis with ample substrate scope. Thus, user-friendly ruthenium(II) biscarboxylate complexes modified with tricyclohexylphosphine enabled C-H functionalizations with aryl electrophiles. The unique versatility of the ruthenium(II) catalysis manifold was reflected by facilitating effective C-H activations with aryl, alkenyl and alkynyl halides.