RUTHENIUM-CATALYZED REDUCTION OF CARBONYL COMPOUNDS USING FORMIC ACID.

Abstract

CARBONYL COMPOUNDS WERE HYDROGENATED TO THE CORRESPONDING ALCOHOLS IN EXCELLENT YIELDS USING FORMIC ACID WITH A RUTHENIUM COMPLEX AT 125 D. C FOR 3 H. 2-PROPANONE WAS REDUCED TO 2-PROPANOL BY RUCL//2(PPH//3)//3-HCOOH SYSTEM IN 94P YIELD WITH 98P SELECTIVITY. 3-PENTANONE, CYCLOHEXANONE, ACETOPHENONE, AND PROPIOPHENONE WERE HYDROGENATED TO THE CORRESPONDING ALCOHOLS IN 86, 78, 84, AND 86P YIELDS RESPECTIVELY. THE KETONE HAVING THE BULKIER ALKYL GROUPS SHOWED LOWER REACTIVITY. THE CATALYTIC ACTIVITY IS FOUND TO DECREASE IN THE ORDER RUCL//2-(PPH//3)//3, RUHCL(PPH//3)//3, RUHCL(CO)(PPH//3)//3, AND RUH//2(PPH//3)//4.