HYDROGENATION REACTIONS WITH RuCl2(TRIPHOS).

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0304-5102(88)80065-8

RUCl//2(TRIPHOS) (TRIPHOS equals PhP(CH//2CH//2PPh//2)//2) catalyzes the homogeneous hydrogenation and isomerization of olefins, hydrogenation of alkynes, aldehydes, ketones and nitriles, under moderate reaction conditions in different organic solvents. The hydrogenation of 1-hexene shows a rate increase with higher temperature and pressure. The system shows high selectivity in the reduction of phenylacetylene to the corresponding alkene. The system can also reduce alpha , beta -unsaturated aldehydes to the corresponding saturated aldehyde and unsaturated alcohol. Likewise, the reduction of aldehydes and ketones to alcohols and nitriles to a mixture of primary, secondary and tertiary amines has been observed.