Synthesis of new Rh(I) and Ru(III) complexes and investigation of their catalytic activities on olefin hydrogenation in green reaction media

Two new Ru(III) and Rh(I) complexes of N-acyl benzotriazole derivative ligand have been synthesized and characterized. The catalytic activities of complexes were tested on styrene and 1-octene hydrogenation in ionic liquid ([bmim][BF4]), DMSO and toluene media. For styrene hydrogenation, 100 % ethyl benzene conversion was obtained with Rh(I) complex, while the conversion ratio was found to be 86.6 % with Ru(III) complex. The catalytic experiments was also conducted in DMSO and toluene to make comparison with ionic liquid under the same conditions (393 K and 6h). 1-octene conversion was found to be 94.5 % with Rh(I) complex at 373 K for 1h. The effect of H-2(g) pressure and catalyst amount was also tested on catalytic reactions. Reusability tests of complexes was investigated over five reaction cycle under 10 bar H-2 in [bmim][BF4]. No activity loss was observed during five cycle with Rh complex.