Ruthenium(II), rhodium(III) and iridium(III) based effective catalysts for hydrogenation under aerobic conditions

The new cationic mononuclear complexes [(η6-arene)Ru(Ph-BIAN)Cl]BF4 [η6-arene = benzene (1), p-cymene (2)], [(η5-C5H5)Ru(Ph-BIAN)PPh3]BF4 (3) and [(η5-C5Me5)M(Ph-BIAN)Cl]BF4 [M = Rh (4), Ir (5)] incorporating 1,2-bis(phenylimino)acenaphthene (Ph-BIAN) are reported. The complexes have been fully characterized by analytical and spectral (IR, NMR, FAB-MS, electronic and emission) studies. The molecular structure of the representative iridium complex [(η5-C5Me5)Ir(Ph-BIAN)Cl]BF4 has been determined crystallographically. Complexes 1–5 effectively catalyze the reduction of terephthaldehyde in the presence of HCOOH/CH3COONa in water under aerobic conditions and, among these complexes the rhodium complex [(η5-C5Me5)Rh(Ph-BIAN)Cl]BF4 (4) displays the most effective catalytic activity.

The cationic mononuclear complexes [(η6-arene)Ru(Ph-BIAN)Cl]BF4 [η6-arene = benzene (1), p-cymene (2)], [(η5-C5H5)Ru(Ph-BIAN)PPh3]BF4 (3) and [(η5-C5Me5)M(Ph-BIAN)Cl]BF4 [M = Rh (4), Ir (5)] incorporating 1,2-bis(phenylimino)acenaphthene (Ph-BIAN) have been prepared and characterized. Complexes 1–5 effectively catalyze the reduction of terephthalaldehyde in the presence of HCOOH/CH3COONa in water under aerobic conditions.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide