Preparation and properties of hydridocarboxylatotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II) complexes, including homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of alk-1-enes

Abstract

The complexes RuH(OCOR)(PPh₃)₃ have been obtained by interaction of the dichloride, RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃, with the sodium salt of the carboxylic acid, RCO₂H, in methanol solution under an atmosphere of hydrogen. The complexes have been characterised by analysis and i.r. and n.m.r. spectroscopy. They are shown to be effective catalysts for the selective homogeneous hydrogenation of alk-1-enes. The rate of hydrogenation of hex-1-ene with the complex RuH(OCOCF₃)(PPh₃)₂ has been studied. The selectivity for the reduction of alk-1-ene is attributed to steric factors caused by the triphenylphosphine groups.