C-H activation reactions of ruthenium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: application in a catalytic tandem reaction involving C-C bond formation from alcohols.
A series of ruthenium hydride N-alkyl heterocyclic carbene complexes has been investigated as catalysts for a tandem oxidation/Wittig/reduction reaction to give C-C bonds from alcohols. The C-H-activated carbene complex Ru(IiPr(2)Me(2))'(PPh(3))(2)(CO)H (9) proves to be the most active precursor catalyzing the reaction of PhCH(2)OH and Ph(3)P=CHCN in 3 h at 70 degrees C. These results provide (a) a rare case in which N-alkyl carbenes afford higher catalytic activity than their N-aryl counterparts and (b) a novel example of the importance of NHC C-H activation in a catalytic cycle.
Burling
Suzanne
S
Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K.
Paine
Belinda M
BM
Nama
Devendrababu
D
Brown
Victoria S
VS
Mahon
Mary F
MF
Prior
Timothy J
TJ
Pregosin
Paul S
PS
Whittlesey
Michael K
MK
Williams
Jonathan M J
JM