Homogeneous activation of the C-H bond in formates. Decarbonylation of formates to alcohols

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(90)87180-L

Triruthenium dodecacarbonyl in the presence of a basic phosphine catalyzes the decarbonylation of formates to the corresponding alcohols in high yield and with high selectivity.The reactions involving methyl and ethyl formate require the basic tricyclohexylphosphine.The reaction path is believed to involve oxidative addition of the C-H bond to the ruthenium cluster.