New iminophosphine-Ru(II) complexes and their application in hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation

Ruthenium complexes [RuCl2L2] were prepared by treating [RuCl2(p-cymene)](2) with structurally similar N-(2-(diphenylphosphino) benzylidene)-3-methylpyridin-2-amine, 4-(2-(diphenylphosphino) benzylideneamino)-3-methylphenol and 4-(2-(2-(diphenylphosphino) benzylideneamino)ethyl) phenol refluxed in toluene. These complexes were used as catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenones in 2-propanol and for the direct hydrogenation of styrenes under hydrogen pressure. The results of the catalytic studies provide evidence that these complexes function as excellent catalysts for hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation. Copyright (C) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.