title: Unexpected role of anionic ligands in the ruthenium-catalyzed base-free selective hydrogenation of aldehydes.
abstract: Bigger and better: The replacement of anionic chloride ligands in Noyori-type [(diamine)(diphosphine)RuCl2 ] catalysts with bulky carboxylate ligands enabled the efficient selective hydrogenation of a variety of aldehydes under base-free conditions. Turnover numbers of up to 100 000 were reached in the presence of a bulky carboxylic acid co-catalyst. This type of catalytic system probably operates through an inner-sphere mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Corporate R&D Division, Firmenich SA, Route de la Plaine 125, 1283 La Plaine (GE) (Switzerland). philippe.dupau@firmenich.com.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dupau
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonomo
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kermorvan
keywords: aldehydes; base-free conditions; homogeneous catalysis; hydrogenation; ruthenium