Synthesis and Structures of Two Dinuclear Transition Metal Complexes and Their Catalytic Applications in Hydrogenation of Ketones

Abstract

AbstractThe complexes [Ni2(L)2]2·H2O (1) and [Cu2(L)2(H2O)]·2CH3OH (2) were prepared by reaction of the chiral Schiff base ligand N‐[(1R,2S)‐2‐hydroxy‐1,2‐diphenyl]‐acetylacetonimine (H2L) with NiII and CuII ions, respectively, aiming to develop economically and environmentally‐friendly catalysts for the hydrogenation of ketones. They have a dinuclear skeleton with axial vacant sites. The catalytic effects of the two complexes for hydrogenation of ketones were tested using dihydrogen gas as hydrogen source. They present some catalytic effects in hydrogenation of acetophenone, which has a dependence on the temperature and base used in these reactions. However, no apparent catalytic effects were found for the two complexes in hydrogenation of 4‐nitroacetophenone and 4‐methylacetophenone. Although the catalytic conversion in these hydrogenation reactions is low, they do represent a kind of cheap and environmentally‐friendly hydrogenation catalyst.