Synthesis of ruthenium (II) complexes containing a dihydroperimidine-derived phosphine ligand and their application in transfer hydrogenation of ketones

•Two new Ru-phosphine complexes were prepared.•The structure of complex 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.•Both complexes showed good catalytic activities in the transfer hydrogenation.

The new ruthenium (II) phosphine complexes (η6-C6H6)RuCl2[μ- (PPh2CH2N)2CH2(C10H6)]RuCl2(η6-C6H6) (1) and RuCl2(PPh3)[(PPh2CH2N)2CH2(C10H6)] (2) were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 31P {1H} NMR and elemental analysis. Moreover, the structure of ruthenium (II) phosphine complex 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. With complex 1 as the catalyst, the transfer hydrogenation of ketones reacted well, affording the corresponding alcohols in good yields under mild conditions.

Graphical abstractThe new ruthenium (II) complexes based on a phosphine ligand 1,3-bis[(diphenylphosphanyl)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-perimidine were synthesized and characterized. Both are valuable for the transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide