title: C-H activation reactions of ruthenium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: application in a catalytic tandem reaction involving C-C bond formation from alcohols.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Burling
authors.forename: Belinda M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Paine
authors.forename: Devendrababu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nama
authors.forename: Victoria S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Mary F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Mahon
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Prior
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Pregosin
authors.forename: Michael K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Whittlesey
authors.forename: Jonathan M J
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Williams