Ruthenium carbonyl carboxylates with nitrogen containing ligands: Part V. On the syntheses and catalytic activity of new ruthenium complexes containing bicarboxylate ligands

Abstract

New ruthenium carbonyl carboxylates were synthesised from Ru 3(CO) 12 and (+)(2 R,3 R)-tartaric acid or 2,3- O-isopropyliden-(+)(2 R,3 R)-tartaric acid to improve their solubility in hydroalcoholic solvents. Reactions of these complexes and [Ru 2(CO) 4(succ)] n {succ=butan-1,4-dioate} with nitrogen containing ligands, gave Ru 2(CO) 4(N–N) 2(bicarb) complexes {N–N=2,2′-bipyridine, 3,3′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridine, bicarb: (+)(2 R,3 R)-tartrate or 2,3- O-isopropyliden-(+)(2 R,3 R)-tartrate, or butan-1,4-dioate}, soluble in hydroalcoholic solvents. These compounds are catalytically active in the homogeneous hydrogenation of CC and CO double bonds in water containing solvents with a high selectivity towards CC double bonds.