Stereo- and Chemoselective Cross-Coupling between Two Electron-Deficient Acrylates: An Efficient Route to (Z,E)-Muconate Derivatives

A Ru-catalyzed direct oxidative cross-coupling reaction of acrylates was developed. It offers a straightforward and atom economical protocol for the synthesis of functionalized (Z,E)-muconate derivatives in, moderate to good yields with good stereo- and chemo-selectivities. The conjugated muconates bearing differentiable terminal functionality can be selectively transformed into versatile synthetic intermediates widely used in organic synthesis.