Ruthenium complexes of aminophosphine ligands and their use as pre-catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones: X-ray crystal structure of thiophene-2-(N-diphenylthiophosphino)methylamine

► Two novel aminophosphine ligands and their chalcogenides were synthesized. ► The molecular structure of thiophene-2-(N-diphenylthiophophino)methylamine was determined by X-ray diffraction. ► Two new octahedral Ru(II) complexes obtained. ► Ru(II) complexes are active catalysts precursors for the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone derivatives.