Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Heterogeneous Removal of Water-Soluble Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalyst from Aqueous Media Via Host-Guest Interaction
Published on: August 23, 2018
A cationic ruthenium complex for the dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols
José A Fernández-Salas1, Simone Manzini, Steven P Nolan
1EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9ST (UK).
Abstract:
A synthetic protocol making use of a well-defined cationic ruthenium complex 2 enabling the racemization of enantiomerically pure secondary alcohols in the presence of a weak base (K2CO3) is described. The compatibility of 2 with Candida Antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435) allows the development of an efficient dynamic kinetic resolution of sec-alcohols in the absence of an additional strong base. This procedure involves the first example of a dynamic kinetic resolution of alcohols in the presence of a cationic ruthenium catalyst. In addition, we describe the conversion of ketones to the enantioenriched acetates in a one-pot reaction, probing the versatility of complex 2.
Related Concept Videos
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Acid-Catalyzed Hydration
Conversion of Alcohols to Alkyl Halides
Acid-Catalyzed Dehydration of Alcohols to Alkenes
Oxidation of Alcohols
The process of oxidation in a chemical reaction is observed in any of the three forms:
Aldehydes and Ketones with Alcohols: Hemiacetal Formation
Alkynes to Carboxylic Acids: Oxidative Cleavage

