Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Catalytic Ionic Hydrogenation of Ketones by {[Cp*Ru(CO)2]2(μ-H)}+

Journal Article · · Organometallics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/om901005k· OSTI ID:972519

{[Cp*Ru(CO)2]2(μ-H)}+OTf functions as a homogeneous catalyst precursor for hydrogenation of ketones to alcohols, with hydrogenations at 1 mol % catalyst loading at 90 °C under H2 (820 psi) proceeding to completion and providing >90% yields. Hydrogenation of methyl levulinate generates γ-valerolactone, presumably by ring-closing of the initially formed alcohol with the methyl ester. Experiments in neat Et2C=O show that the catalyst loading can be <0.1 mole %, and that at least 1200 turnovers of the catalyst can be obtained. These reactions are proposed to proceed by an ionic hydrogenation pathway, with the highly acidic dihydrogen complex [Cp*Ru(CO)22-H2)]+OTf- being formed under the reaction conditions from reaction of H2 with {[Cp*Ru(CO)2]2(μ-H)}+OTf .

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
972519
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-69639; KC0302010
Journal Information:
Organometallics, Journal Name: Organometallics Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 29; ISSN ORGND7; ISSN 0276-7333
Publisher:
American Chemical Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English