Experimental and Computational Studies of Ruthenium Complexes Bearing Z-Acceptor Aluminum-Based Phosphine Pincer Ligands

Reaction of [Ru(C₆H₄PPh₂)₂(Ph₂PC₆H₄AlMe(THF))H] with CO results in clean conversion to the Ru-Al heterobimetallic complex [Ru(AlMePhos)(CO)₃] (1), where AlMePhos is the novel P-Al(Me)-P pincer ligand (o-Ph₂PC₆H₄)₂AlMe. Under photolytic conditions, 1 reacts with H₂ to give [Ru(AlMePhos)(CO)₂(μ-H)H] (2) that is characterized by multinuclear NMR and IR spectroscopies. DFT calculations indicate that 2 features one terminal and one bridging hydride that are respectively anti and syn to the AlMe group. Calculations also define a mechanism for H₂ addition to 1 and predict facile hydride exchange in 2 that is also observed experimentally. Reaction of 1 with B(C₆F₅)₃ results in Me abstraction to form the ion pair [Ru(AlPhos)(CO)₃][MeB(C₆F₅)₃] (4) featuring a cationic [(o-Ph₂PC₆H₄)₂Al]⁺ ligand, [AlPhos]⁺. The Ru-Al distance in 4 (2.5334(16) Å) is significantly shorter than that in 1 (2.6578(6) Å), consistent with an enhanced Lewis acidity of the [AlPhos]⁺ ligand. This is corroborated by a blue shift in both the observed and computed ν_CO stretching frequencies upon Me abstraction. Electronic structure analyses (QTAIM and EDA-ETS) comparing 1, 4, and the previously reported [Ru(ZnPhos)(CO)₃] analogue (ZnPhos = (o-Ph₂PC₆H₄)₂Zn) indicate that the Lewis acidity of these pincer ligands increases along the series ZnPhos < AlMePhos < [AlPhos]⁺.

Hydroformylation of vinyl acetate and cyclohexene over TiO2 nanotube supported Rh and Ru nanoparticle catalysts

TiO2 nanotube (TNT) supported Rh and Ru nanoparticle catalysts were prepared via impregnation-photoreducing procedure and characterized with various methods. Their catalytic performances in hydroformylation were evaluated by using vinyl acetate and cyclohexene as substrates. The results indicate that the presence of Ru in the catalysts can enhance the catalytic activity of catalysts for the hydroformylation of vinyl acetate, but do not play the same role in the hydroformylation of cyclohexene; the sequence of loading metal has a significant effect on the catalytic performances of the title catalysts. Additionally, it is found that Ru/TNTs shows catalytic activity for the hydroformylation of vinyl acetate though it does not for the hydroformylation of cyclohexene.

Carbon Dioxide Transformation in Imidazolium Salts: Hydroaminomethylation Catalyzed by Ru-Complexes

The catalytic species generated by dissolving Ru3 (CO)12 in the ionic liquids 1-n-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride or 1-n-butyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium chloride are efficient multifunctional catalysts for: (a) reverse water-gas shift, (b) hydroformylation of alkenes, and (c) reductive amination of aldehydes. Thus the reaction of alkenes with primary or secondary amines (alkene/amine, 1:1) under CO2 /H2 (1:1) affords the hydroaminomethylations products in high alkene conversions (up to 99 %) and selectivities (up to 96 %). The reaction proceeds under relatively mild reaction conditions (120 °C, 60 bar=6 MPa) and affords selectively secondary and tertiary amines. The presence of amine strongly reduces the alkene hydrogenation competitive pathway usually observed in the hydroformylation of terminal alkenes by Ru complexes. The catalytic system is also highly active for the reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones yielding amines in high yields (>90 %).