Ketone transfer hydrogenation reactions catalyzed by a phosphinite ruthenium PCP complex: The X-ray crystal structure of [C6H4-1,3-(OPPh2{Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2})2]

The reaction of the potentially tridentate phosphinite PCP pincer type ligand [C6H4-1,3-(OPPh2)2] with [(η6-p-cymene)RuCl2]2 affords the bimetallic species [C6H4-1,3-(OPPh2{Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2})2]. Several attempts, including the change of the ruthenium starting material (e.g. [(η6-benzene)RuCl2]2) and reflux conditions to achieve the coordination of the diphosphinite [C6H4-1,3-(OPPh2)2] in a tridentate PCP pincer fashion failed. Complex [C6H4-1,3-(OPPh2{Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2})2] was tested in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones.

Graphical abstractThe reaction of the phosphinite PCP ligand [C6H4-1,3-(OPPh2)2] with [(η6-p-cymene)RuCl2]2 affords the bimetallic species [C6H4-1,3-(OPPh2{Ru(η6-cymene)Cl2})2]. The complex [C6H4-1,3-(OPPh2{Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2})2] is an efficient catalyst in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones in PriOH. Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide