Ru(H)2(CO)(PPh3)3, have been found to catalyze the addition of ortho C–H bonds of aromatic ketones to olefins with a high degree of efficiency and selectivity. 2′-Methylacetophenone reacts with various types of terminal olefins to give 1 : 1 coupling products in good to excellent yields. The C–C bond formation takes place exclusively at the terminal carbon atom of olefins except for styrene which affords a mixture