Bok Tae Kim

Ruthenium-catalyzed regioselective α-alkylation of ketones with primary alcohols

Ketones are regioselectively alkylated with an array of primary alcohols in dioxane at 80°C in the presence of a catalytic amount of a ruthenium catalyst together with KOH and a hydrogen acceptor.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Regioselectiveα-Alkylation of Ketones: The First Alkyl-Group Transfer from Trialkylamines to theα-C Atom of Ketones

A new reaction: A ruthenium-catalyzed transfer of an alkyl group from a trialkylamine to the α-carbon atom of a ketone leads in good yields to α-alkylated ketones [Eq. (1)]. The reaction is applicable to a wide range of alkyl(alkyl), alkyl(aryl), and cyclic ketones, and in the case of unsymmetrical ketones it takes place regioselectively at the less hindered α-position.

Ruthenium-catalyzed reductive cyclization of nitroarenes with trialkylamines leading to quinolines

Nitroarenes react with trialkylamines in the presence of a catalytic amount of a ruthenium catalyst together with tin(II) chloride dihydrate at 180 °C in an aqueous medium (toluene–H2O) to afford the corresponding quinolines in moderate to good yields. The catalytic pathway seems to be proceeded via a sequence involving initial reduction of nitroarenes to anilines, alkyl group transfer from alkylamines to anilines to form an imine, dimerization of imine, and heterocyclization.

Ruthenium-catalysed oxidative cyclisation of 2-aminobenzyl alcohol with ketones: modified Friedlaender quinoline synthesis

2-Aminobenzyl alcohol is oxidatively cyclised with an array of ketones in dioxane at 80 °C in the presence of a catalytic amount of a ruthenium catalyst and KOH to afford the corresponding quinolines in high yields.

Ruthenium-catalysed transfer hydrogenation of aromatic aldehydes with dioxane under KOH: assistance of Cannizzaro reaction

Aromatic aldehydes are reduced to the corresponding alcohols in dioxane at 80°C in the presence of a catalytic amount of a ruthenium catalyst together with KOH in moderate to good yields.