Bidentate Ru(II)‐NC Complexes as Catalysts for Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones with Ethanol

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, we developed a bidentate Ru(II)‐NC‐catalyzed transfer hydrogen reaction of ketones using ethanol (EtOH) as the hydrogen source under weak base conditions. The control experiments suggested that the reaction proceeded via a Ru‐H mechanism, yielding ethyl acetate as the only byproduct. The deuterium‐labeling experiments showed that hydrogen evolved from the CH2 and OH groups. These results provide a new weak base system for the transfer hydrogen reaction of ketones using EtOH as the hydrogen donor.