Catalytic hydrogenation reactions by a monobenzene complex of ruthenium, 6-C6H6)(CH3CN)3>(BF4)2, in biphasic medium

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(94)87016-0

The water soluble monobenzene complex of ruthenium, 6-C6H6)(CH3CN)3>(BF4)2 (1) is an effective catalyst or catalyst precursor for the hydrogenation of olefinic functions in benzene/H2O biphasic medium.The catalyst can be recycled by simple decantation.Complex 1 is capable of catalyzing H/D exchange reaction between H2 and D2O.A two-loop reaction mechanism for the catalytic hydrogenation reactions with 1 is postulated.In this mechanism, water acts as the base to assist the heterolytic hydrogen cleavage in one of the loops, but is not an active participant in the other.Key words: Ruthenium; Hydrogenation; Biphasic medium; Hydride