Hydrogenation of Terminal Alkenes Catalyzed by Air‐Stable Mn(I) Complexes Bearing an N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Based PCP Pincer Ligand

Abstract

AbstractEfficient hydrogenations of terminal alkenes with molecular hydrogen catalyzed by well‐defined bench stable Mn(I) complexes containing an N‐heterocyclic carbene‐based PCP pincer ligand are described. These reactions are environmentally benign and atom economic, implementing an inexpensive, earth abundant non‐precious metal catalyst. A range of aromatic and aliphatic alkenes were efficiently converted into alkanes in good to excellent yields. The hydrogenation proceeds at 100 °C with catalyst loadings of 0.25–0.5 mol %, 2.5–5 mol % base (KOtBu) and a hydrogen pressure of 20 bar. Mechanistic insight into the catalytic reaction is provided by means of DFT calculations.