Structure-selectivity relationship in ruthenium-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective addition of alkynes to pyrazoles: an experimental and theoretical investigation.

Ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(dppe)(PPh3)(CH(3)CN)(2)Cl][BPh4] {dppe = diphenylphosphinoethane} (1) and [Ru(dppp)2(CH(3)CN)Cl][BPh4] (2){dppp = diphenylphosphinopropane}, are efficient catalysts for vinylation of pyrazoles by alkynes. While the 1-catalyzed reaction is trans-selective, the corresponding 2-catalyzed reaction is cis-selective. The experimental results have been rationalized by density functional theory calculations.