Arene Ru (II)‐catalyzed facile synthesis of <i>N</i> ‐acylhydrazones via acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling strategy

A facile catalytic one-pot synthesis of N-acylhydrazones via acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling readily available alcohols and benzohydrazides (R2CONHNH2) using arene ruthenium (II) complexes has been described. The with various catalysts provide a wide range in good to excellent yields (63–93%; 32 examples). present protocol offers high selectivity hydrazones without any alkylated products tolerates functional groups. Control experiments indicate that the mechanism proceeds dehydrogenation alcohols, hydrogen water are sole by-products. gram scale illustrates usefulness strategy.