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Updated: Jun 28, 2025

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
Published on: April 10, 2015
Backbone-functionalised ruthenium diphosphine complexes for catalytic upgrading of ethanol and methanol to
Folasade J Sama1,2, Rachel A Doyle2, Benson M Kariuki1
1Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, Translational Research Hub, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, Wales, CF24 4HQ, UK. WassD@cardiff.ac.uk.
Abstract:
Efficient catalysts for Guerbet-type ethanol/methanol upgrading to iso-butanol have been developed via Michael addition of a variety of amines to ruthenium-coordinated dppen (1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene). All catalysts produce over 50% iso-butanol yield with >90% selectivity in 2 h with catalyst 1 showing the best activity (74% yield after this time). The selectivity and turnover number approach 100% and 1000 respectively using catalyst 6. The presence of uncoordinated functionalised donor groups in these complexes results in a more stable catalyst compared to unfunctionalised analogues.
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