Sulfoximine-directed ruthenium-catalyzed ortho-C-H alkenylation of (hetero)arenes: synthesis of EP3 receptor antagonist analogue.

The reusable sulfoximine directing-group-assisted Ru(II)-catalyzed chemo- and regioselective ortho-C-H alkenylation of arenes and heteroarenes with acrylates and α,β-unsaturated ketones/vinyl sulfone is shown. The N-aroyl sulfoximine undergoes annulation with diphenylacetylene, delivering isoquinolinones and methyl phenyl sulfoxide. The present protocol is successfully employed for the synthesis of the EP3 receptor antagonist analogue.