Ru(III)-catalyzed cyclization of arene-alkene substrates via intramolecular electrophilic hydroarylation

reaction: see text] We herein report that RuCl(3)/AgOTf has proven to be a hydroarylation catalyst with an efficiency and scope superior to previously known methods. This catalyst demonstrated consistent performance with arene-ene substrates of diverse structural features, providing good to excellent yields of cyclization products (chromanes, tetralins, terpenoids, dihydrocoumarins).