Efficient catalytic racemization of secondary alcohols

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(98)01116-2

(η⁵-Indenyl)RuCl(PPh₃)₂ was found to efficiently catalyze the racemization of chiral alcohols such as (S)-1-phenylethan-1-ol, (S)-1- phenylpropan-2-ol and (S)-4-phenylbutan-2-ol at room temperature in the presence of base. The catalytic activity of five other Ru(II) complexes was also investigated. The effects of varying reaction conditions such as reaction temperature, solvent, and base were investigated as well.