Ruthenium(II) Carbonyl Complexes Containing Unsymmetrical Schiff Bases: Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Applications

Abstract

Unsymmetrical Schiff base complexes of general formula [Ru(CO)(B)(L)] (B = PPh3, AsPh3, or Py; L = dianion of unsymmetrical Schiff base ligand) have been synthesized from the reaction of [RuHCl(CO)(EPh3)2(B)] (E = P or As; B = PPh3, AsPh3, or Py) with unsymmetrical Schiff bases. The new synthesized complexes were characterized by using elemental analysis, IR spectra, electronic spectra, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and 31P-NMR spectra. All the complexes were tentatively assigned an octahedral geometry. The catalytic activities of the synthesized complexes have been studied and found that the complexes showed efficient catalytic activity for oxidation of alcohols and reduction of ketones.