Development of a novel secondary phosphine oxide–ruthenium(ii) catalyst and its application for carbonyl reduction

Abstract

A secondary phosphine oxide–phosphine mixed tridentate ligand and its ruthenium complex have been developed. This complex shows excellent catalytic activity for carbonyl reduction, especially for the reduction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. The turnover number and selectivity can reach up to 36 500 and 99%, respectively. Control experiments and DFT calculations supported an outer-sphere mechanism during the hydrogenation reaction.