Ruthenium complexes with an N-heterocyclic carbene NNC-pincer ligand: preparation and catalytic properties

Abstract

1-Methyl-3-(2-((pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amino)ethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium bromide was prepared and used as an N-heterocyclic carbene NNC-pincer ligand precursor. Depending on the coordination strategy, a monometallic [Ru(NNC)(CO3)(PPh3)] complex, or the [Ru(μ-Cl)(NNC)]2(2Cl−) dimer, was obtained. A di-silver complex in which two ligands are monocoordinated to the metal center through the NHC groups was also obtained and characterised. The dimetallic ruthenium complex reacts with alcohols yielding a monohydride species. The preliminary studies on the catalytic activity of the ruthenium dimer indicate that the complex is active in the reduction of ketones and aldehydes under transfer hydrogenation conditions.