A High‐Valent Ru−PCP Pincer Catalyst for the Hydrogenation of Organic Carbonates

Abstract

AbstractIn this communication, we report on the successful application of a high‐valent RuIV bifunctional catalyst (1) for mild hydrogenation of cyclic and acyclic carbonates. Our experimental and theoretical studies suggest that the hydrogenation mechanism is operated by an unusual formally zwitterionic RuIV complex. According to our hypothesis, the positively charged high‐valent metal center is responsible for stronger hydrogen coordination. On the other hand, the proximate negatively charged ligand site facilitates heterolytic H2 bond activation, which leads to efficient catalysis.