Catalytic C-H Activation Reactions Catalyzed by Monocarbonyl Ruthenium Complexes

Mono and dicarbonyl ruthenium complexes have attracted a great deal of attention in homogeneous catalysis on account of their ability to promote a number of catalytic transformations, including hydrogenation, dehydrogenation and borrowing hydrogen reactions involving alcohols and carbonyl compounds. We report herein the preparation of a series of monocarbonyl compounds with (chiral) phosphine and nitrogen ligands (Figure 1), which display high catalytic activity in transfer hydrogenation and Nalkylation reactions. Some applications to the conversion of biomass derivatives and synthesis of heterocyclic compounds are presented.