RuCl2(DMSO)4 catalyzes the β-alkylation of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols through a hydrogen autotransfer process

The electrophilic beta-alkylation of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols is accomplished by a hydrogen autotransfer process catalyzed by RUCl2(DMSO)(4). The reaction can produce either simple alkylated secondary alcohols or alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones with good to excellent results just by choosing the appropriate starting secondary alcohol (methyl or longer chain secondary alcohol, respectively), as well as quinolines (by using 2-aminobenzyl alcohol). (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.