Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2025

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
Published on: April 10, 2015
C-P Bond Cleavage Through Hydrogenation in Ruthenium Complexes Supported by P,N Ligands
Vanessa R G Cacho1, Luís F Veiros1, Clara S B Gomes2
1Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemical Engineering Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1000-049 Lisboa, Portugal.
Abstract:
The reactivity of ruthenium hydride complexes supported by 2-((di-tert-butylphosphaneyl)methyl)pyridine, L1 and 2-(di-tert-butylphosphaneyl)pyridine, L2, was explored. The reaction of {Ru(COD)Cl2} with L1 in the presence of base and 10 bar of H2 gave the expected complex [Ru(L1)2(H)Cl], 1, while the same reaction with L2 gave [Ru(L2)(P(H)Bu2)(H)Cl], 2, that results from the cleavage of a C-P bond. We were able to establish that under the reaction conditions the first species formed is [Ru(L2)2(H)Cl], 3, and that this species decomposes to give complex 2 and is in equilibrium with [Ru(L2)2Cl2], 4. The proposed mechanism obtained by DFT has the protonation of the carbon as the highest energy step (38.9 kcal/mol), consistent with a slow reaction. Preliminary studies reveal that complex 2 is a very active catalyst in the hydrogenation of benzaldehyde (TONs up to 44,000).
More Related Videos
10:39Heterogeneous Removal of Water-Soluble Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalyst from Aqueous Media Via Host-Guest Interaction
Published on: August 23, 2018
10:52Line Shape Analysis of Dynamic NMR Spectra for Characterizing Coordination Sphere Rearrangements at a Chiral Rhenium Polyhydride Complex
Published on: July 27, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Radical Formation: Homolysis
Radical Substitution: Hydrogenolysis of Alkyl Halides with Tributyltin Hydride
The bonds formed in this reaction are stronger than the bonds broken, making it energetically favorable. The reaction follows a radical chain mechanism similar to radical halogenation...
Reduction of Benzene to Cyclohexane: Catalytic Hydrogenation