AbstractThe use of EtOH as hydrogen donor is remarkably under explored in transfer hydrogenation reactions, even though EtOH represents an appealing hydrogen source. With the cationic ruthenium complex [Ru(PYA)(cymene)]+, 1, containing a N,N‐bidentate amino‐functionalized pyridinium amidate (PYA) ligand as catalyst precursor, we here demonstrate the first example of chemoselective room temperature transfer hydrogenation of the C═C bond in α,β‐unsaturated ketones using EtOH as benign hydrogen source to yield a variety of functionalized ketones. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions with K2CO3 as base and conventiently at room temperature. A broad substrate scope, including various functionalized α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl groups, demonstrates the general applicability of this method. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest the formation of an alkoxide complex [1]–OEt as an initially formed species, and the requirement for EtOH to induce hydride transfer, suggesting a protic activation of the catalyst.
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