Highly efficient redox isomerization of allylic alcohols and transfer hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes catalyzed by ruthenium complexes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/adsc.201000667

A dicationic dichloro-bipyridine-ruthenium complex shows very high catalytic activity in redox isomerization of allylic alcohols but a relatively low one in transfer hydrogenation of ketones; surprisingly, the analogous dimethyl-bipyridine-ruthenium complex shows reverse catalytic activities in the two reactions.