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Updated: Mar 17, 2026

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
Published on: April 10, 2015
N-Oxides rescue Ru(v) in catalytic Griffith-Ley (TPAP) alcohol oxidations
Timothy J Zerk1, Peter W Moore1, Craig M Williams1
1School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia. p.bernhardt@uq.edu.au c.williams3@uq.edu.au.
Abstract:
The redox and ligand exchange reactions of oxido-ruthenium complexes are central to the function of the Sharpless and Griffith-Ley one-step alcohol oxidation protocols. However, their mechanisms have not been elucidated. Cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis spectroelectrochemical analysis of [RuO4](-) has provided new insight into the key ruthenium oxidation states involved in catalysis. Furthermore, the oxidation states sensitive to the presence of the N-oxide co-oxidant N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMO), and its role in catalysis, have been determined.
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