Ruthenium-Catalyzed Oxidation of Alkenes at Room Temperature: A Practical and Concise Approach to α-Diketones

The catalytic oxidation of alkenes to alpha-diketones is unprecedented. A new oxidation of alkenes, catalyzed by a ruthenium complex, which allows an efficient route to alpha-diketones using TBHP as an oxidant is described. This methodology is highly functional group tolerant, is practically convenient, requires no additional ligand, and operates under mild conditions with short reaction times. Based upon experimental observations, a plausible mechanism is proposed.