One-Pot Access to Cinnamates via Direct Oxidative C–H Transformation of Allylarenes

Abstract

A highly selective combination of ruthenium complex and oxidant, which catalyzes the oxidative C–H esterification of ­allylarenes to the corresponding bis-(E)-cinnamates and (E)-cinnamates, is described. The one-pot route was carried out by olefinic migration of allylarenes with RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ and DDQ-mediated ­allylic oxidation of the resulting internal alkenes with various ­alcohols in good yields.

Key words

allylarenes - C–H esterification - cinnamates

• References and Notes


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