Regio‐ and Stereoselective Synthesis of Enamides and Dienamides by Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Co‐Oligomerization of N‐Vinylamides with Alkenes or Alkynes

The zero-valent ruthenium complex (η6-1,3,5-cyclooctatriene)bis(η2-dimethyl fumarate)ruthenium effectively catalyzes the highly selective codimerization of N-vinylamides with alkenes or alkynes and was successfully applied in the cotrimerization of N-vinylamides with ethyl acrylate and ethylene (see scheme). These reactions offer a rapid and atom-economical synthesis of biologically and synthetically important enamides and dienamides.