Ruthenium-Catalyzed Para-Selective Oxidative Cross-Coupling of Arenes and Cycloalkanes

A novel, direct para-selective oxidative cross-coupling of benzene derivatives with cycloalkanes catalyzed by ruthenium was developed. A wide range of arenes bearing electron-withdrawing substituents was functionalized directly with simple cycloalkanes with high para-selectivity; arenes with electron-donating groups were mainly para-functionalized. Benzoic acid can be used directly.