Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ruthenium: an efficient catalyst for the redox isomerization of functionalized allylic alcohols into carbonyl compounds

The catalytic activity of the ruthenium(II) complex [RuCp∗(CH3CN)3][PF6] 1 in the transposition of allylic alcohols into carbonyl compounds, in acetonitrile, is reported. This catalyst has proven to be able to catalyze the transformation of poorly reactive and/or functionalized substrates under smooth conditions.