The reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones and cyclohexadienes catalyzed by mhcl(CO)(P iPr 3) 2 (M = Ru, Os) complexes

Abstract

The complexes MHCl(CO)(PR 3) 2 (M = Ru, R 3 = iPr 3, tBu 2Me; M = Os, R 3 = iPr 3) catalyze hydrogen transfer from propan-2-ol to benzylidenacetone and benzylidenacetophenone. The addition of NaBH 4 gives rise to a marked increase in the catalytic activity. The reactions show a preferential selective reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones to saturated ketones. The title complexes also catalyze the reduction of cyclohexadienes and cyclohexene by molecular hydrogen; the catalytic activity depends on the natures of the solvent and the metal.