The hydrogenation of molecules with polar bonds catalyzed by a ruthenium(ii) complex bearing a chelating N-heterocyclic carbene with a primary amine donor

Abstract

The complex [RuCp*(C–NH₂)(py)]PF₆ bearing a chelating N-heterocyclic carbene with an NH₂ group (C–NH₂) is an active catalyst for the H₂-hydrogenation of ketones, an epoxide, ester and ketimine in basic solution. A maximum turnover frequency of 17 600 h⁻¹ is achieved under mild reaction conditions (25 °C) and economical use of hydrogen (8 bar) while the TOF of a related complex with a phosphine–amine ligand is much smaller.