A detailed study of the hydrogenation of nitrile-butadiene rubber and other substrates catalyzed by Ru(II) complexes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S1381-1169(97)00102-7

Development of a computer controlled apparatus for measurement of gas uptake at elevated temperatures and pressures has made possible a study of the kinetics of NBR hydrogenation at conditions approaching those that are used in commercial operations. Complexes of the form Ru(X)Cl(CO)L₂ where X = H or β-styryl (CH=CH(Ph)) and L is a bulky phosphine such as tricyclohexyl-or triisopropyl-phosphine are excellent catalysts for the hydrogenation of C=C in a variety of polymers and are superior to other Ru complexes for the hydrogenation of C=C in nitrile-butadiene rubber. This report describes comparative studies using these complexes for the hydrogenation of C=C in various polymer and small molecule substrates. Also presented are complete details of an in depth mechanistic study into the hydrogenation of NBR catalyzed by the complex Ru(CH=CH(Ph))Cl(CO)(PCy₃)₂.