sp3C-H bond alkylation of ketones with alkenes via ruthenium(II) catalysed dehydrogenation of alcohols

The sp(3)C-H bond functionalisation of 2-pyridyl ethanols upon reaction with alkenes, in the presence of a [RuCl2(arene)](2) catalyst and Cu(OAc)(2) center dot H2O, is performed under mild conditions without additional base. This reaction proceeds via a tandem alcohol dehydrogenation/alkylation with alkenes of the resulting ketone at its a sp(3)C-H bond.