Scope, mechanism and diene inhibition of isomerization of allylic alcohols to saturated ketones catalyzed by ruthenium(II)-cyclopentadienyl complexes

The ruthenium(II)-cyclopentadienyl moiety in combination with various phosphine and amine ligands yields highly active catalysts for the isomerization of allylic alcohols to ketones. Kinetic studies and mechanistic aspects are reported. A 31P NMR study sheds light on the intriguing inhibitory effect of dienes.