A well-defined cationic Ru-H complex catalyzes the dehydrative C-H alkylation reaction of phenols with alcohols to form ortho-substituted phenol products. Benzofuran derivatives are efficiently synthesized from the dehydrative C-H alkenylation and annulation reaction of phenols with 1,2-diols. The catalytic C-H coupling method employs cheaply available phenols and alcohols, exhibits a broad substrate scope, tolerates carbonyl and amine functional groups, and liberates water as the only byproduct.