Ruthenium(0) complexes with triazolylidene spectator ligands: Oxidative activation for (de)hydrogenation catalysis

Ruthenium(0) complexes containing a strongly donating 1,2,3-triazolylidene ligand were prepared and evaluated as precursors for hydrogen transfer catalysis. Both dehydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation are catalyzed by these complexes when activated with cerium(IV) as oxidant; electrochemical analysis lend support to a ruthenium oxidation process in the catalyst activation step.146