Marek Vavrovič, Benjamin M Farris, Corey R J Stephenson, Nathaniel K Szymczak
We report a dehydrogenative decarbonylation strategy that converts alcohols into stable, C1-deleted Ru(R)(CO) synthons while avoiding common alkane-forming pathways. These Ru(R)(CO) species can be triggered to homolytically release alkyl fragments upon oxidation or MLCT photoexcitation. The radical-type reactivity is demonstrated in one-pot C-C and C-O bond formation directly from alcohols.