Ruthenium complexes [Ru(CO) 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 (O 2 CR) 2 ] -3a (R = CH 2 OCH 3 ), 3b (R = iPr), 3c (R = tBu), 3d (R = 2-c C 4 H 3 O), and 3e (R = Ph) -were synthesized by treatment of Ru(CO) 3 -(PPh 3 ) 2 with the corresponding carboxylic acids. The molecular structures of the newly synthesized complexes in the solid state are discussed. Compounds 3a-e were successfully applied as catalysts in the addition of carboxylic acids to propargylic alcohols to give the corresponding β-oxo esters in good to excellent yields even in air. The different carboxylate ligands do not have an influence on the productivities, because the carboxylates exchange rapidly under the applied
[a]2939 reaction conditions, as was confirmed by 31 P{ 1 H} NMR spectroscopic studies. The addition of catalytic amounts of Na 2 CO 3 resulted in an increase in β-oxo ester formation. The reaction is tolerant to the use of versatile functional groups on the propargylic alcohols and carboxylic acids, revealing a broad substrate generality. In contrast to most other known catalytic systems, even sterically hindered substrates, including 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoic acid, 1,1-diphenylprop-2-yn-1-ol, or the biologically active steroid ethisterone, were successfully converted.