Ruthenium-catalyzed formal sp C-H activation of allylsilanes/esters with olefins: efficient access to functionalized 1,3-dienes.

Ru-catalysed oxidative coupling of allylsilanes and allyl esters with activated olefins has been developed isomerization followed by C(allyl)-H activation providing efficient access to stereodefined 1,3-dienes in excellent yields. Mild reaction conditions, less expensive catalysts, and excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity ensure universality of the reaction. In addition, the unique power of this reaction was illustrated by performing the Diels-Alder reaction, and enantioselective synthesis of highly functionalized cyclohexenone and piperidine and finally synthetic utility was further demonstrated by the efficient synthesis of norpyrenophorin, an antifungal agent.