A Highly Efficient Ruthenium(II) Catalyst with (1,2-Diarylvinyl)phosphine Ligands for Direct Ortho Arylation of 2-Arylpyridine with Aryl Chlorides

A series of (1,2-diarylvinyl)phosphine ligands were synthesized, and their ruthenium complexes have been prepared. The structure of [(1,2-diphenylvinyl)phosphine](η 6 -cymene)RuCl 2 ( C1 ) was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Ruthenium (1,2-diarylvinyl)phosphine complexes are highly efficient catalysts for direct ortho arylation of 2-arylpyridine with a range of aryl chlorides (electron-rich and electron-poor aromatic chlorides). Highly controllable formation of monoarylation and diarylation through functionalization of C−H bonds on the aromatic ring were achieved.