C-P Bond Cleavage Through Hydrogenation in Ruthenium Complexes Supported by P,N Ligands

Vanessa R.G. Cacho, Luís F. Veiros, Clara S.B. Gomes, Mariana Sardo, Cláudia A. Figueira, Ana M. Martins, Maria João Ferreira

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Abstract

The reactivity of ruthenium hydride complexes supported by 2-((di-tert-butylphosphaneyl)methyl)pyridine, L1 and 2-(di-tert-butylphosphaneyl)pyridine, L2, was explored. The reaction of {Ru(COD)Cl2}x with L1 in the presence of base and 10 bar of H2 gave the expected complex [Ru(L1)2(H)Cl], 1, while the same reaction with L2 gave [Ru(L2)(P(H)tBu2)(H)Cl], 2, that results from the cleavage of a C-P bond. We were able to establish that under the reaction conditions the first species formed is [Ru(L2)2(H)Cl], 3, and that this species decomposes to give complex 2 and is in equilibrium with [Ru(L2)2Cl2], 4. The proposed mechanism obtained by DFT has the protonation of the carbon as the highest energy step (38.9 kcal/mol), consistent with a slow reaction. Preliminary studies reveal that complex 2 is a very active catalyst in the hydrogenation of benzaldehyde (TONs up to 44,000).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)23421-23430
Number of pages10
JournalInorganic Chemistry
Volume63
Issue number49
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Dec 2024

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