Ruthenium-Catalyzed Aldehyde Functionality Reshuffle: Selective Synthesis of <i>E</i>‑2-Arylcinnamaldehydes from <i>E-</i>β‑Bromostyrenes and Aryl Aldehydes

A new concept for highly selective synthesis of <i>E</i>-2-arylcinnamaldehydes has been developed via a formal arylformylation of <i>E</i>-β-bromostyrenes with readily available aryl aldehydes. This strategy involves an overall reshuffle of the aldehyde functionality with a loss of hydrogen bromide