COMPLEXES OF RUTHENIUM WITH 2-(AMINOMETHYL)PYRIDINES AND PHOSPHINES, THEIR PREPARATION AND USE AS CATALYSTS

摘要

The patent describes a new class of ruthenium (II) complexes containing asligands 2-(aminomethyl)pyridines and phosphines, proven to be extremely activecatalysts in the reduction of ketones to alcohols via hydrogen transfer. Byusing 2-propanol as the hydrogen source with said ruthenium complexes, highyields of the corresponding alcohol can be rapidly obtained starting fromlinear and cyclic alkyl aryl, dialkyl and diaryl ketones. The conversion ofketones to alcohols can reach 100% if operating in a gaseous hydrogenatmosphere (2 - 3 atm). Where the phosphines used are optically active,starting from prochiral ketone compounds various types of optically activealcohols can be produced, being important intermediates in the pharmaceuticalindustry, in the agrochemical industry and for fine chemicals generally.