Introduction

The invention relates to a method for preparation of dicarbonyl complexes of ruthenium and osmium with bi- and tridentate nitrogen and phosphine ligands. The complexes can be used as catalysts for reduction reactions of ketones and aldehydes both via transfer hydrogenation or hydrogenation with hydrogen.

Technical features

The purpose of the present invention relates to the synthesis of complexes of ruthenium containing two CO ligands in combination with bidentate and tridentate nitrogen ligands and phosphines which can easily been prepared form carbonyl precursors. These complexes can be used as catalysts in the reduction of carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) by transfer hydrogenation or hydrogenation with molecular hydrogen under low pressure. A further object of the present invention is to obtain ruthenium complexes which can be generated in situ during the reduction of carbonyl compounds via hydrogenation with molecular hydrogen or by transfer hydrogenation

Possible Applications

• Reduction of carbonyl compounds;
• Selective reduction of aldehydes and ketones;
• Low pressure hydrogenation;
• Hydrogen transfer reduction.

Advantages

• Stable catalysts;
• Straightforward synthesis of the catalysts;
• High atom economy;
• High speed;
• High selectivity;
• High productivity.