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Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Preparation of SNS CobaltII Pincer Model Complexes of Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase
Published on: March 19, 2020
NNN Pincer Ru(II)-Complex-Catalyzed α-Alkylation of Ketones with Alcohols
Xiao-Niu Cao1, Xiao-Min Wan1, Fa-Liu Yang1
1College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, School of Life Sciences , Zhengzhou University , No. 100 of Science Road , Zhengzhou , Henan 450001 , P. R. China.
Abstract:
A series of novel ruthenium(II) complexes supported by a symmetrical NNN ligand were prepared and fully characterized. These complexes exhibited good performance in transfer hydrogenation to form new C-C bonds using alcohols as the alkylating agents, generating water as the only byproduct. A broad range of substrates, including (hetero)aryl- or alkyl-ketones and alcohols, were well tolerated under the optimized conditions. Notably, α-substituted methylene ketones were also investigated, which afforded α-branched steric hindrance products. A potential application of α-alkylation of methylene acetone to synthesize donepezil was demonstrated, which provided the desired product in 83% yield. Finally, this catalytic system could be applied to a one-pot double alkylation procedure with sequential addition of two different alcohols. The current protocol is featured with several characteristics, including a broad substrate scope, low catalyst (0.50 mol %) loadings, and environmental benignity.
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