Reactions of RuCl2(PPh3)3 with carbinols: formation of ethers, hydrogen–deuterium exchange, and racemization of optically active alcohols

Abstract

RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ catalyses (a) conversion of tertiary and ‘positively’ substituted secondary carbinols into ethers, (b) H–D exchange in primary and secondary alcohols, and (c) racemization of optically active alcohols; these reactions confirm the intermediacy of ruthenium alkoxides, and β-hydrogen transfer in the formation of ruthenium hydrides from carbinols.