The Ruthenium-Catalyzed Addition of C-H Bonds in Aromatic Nitriles to Olefins

The reaction of aromatic nitriles with triethoxyvinylsilane proceeded in the presence of a Ru(H)2(CO)(PPh3)3-catalyst to give the corresponding C-H/olefin coupling products in high yields. The nitrile group is capable of directing the ruthenium to the ortho C-H bond via π-bonded mode.