Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic behavior of a PSiP pincer-type ruthenium(II) complex

The synthesis and characterization of a cyclometalated ruthenium(II) complex [RuCl(PSiPCy)] containing monoanionic, tridentate coordinating PSiP-pincer ligand [κ3-(2-Cy2PC6H4)2SiMe]− ([PSiPCy]) are reported. Complex 3 is one of the few examples of halogenated ruthenium(II) complexes supported by the pincer-like bis(phosphino)silyl ligand. The structure of complex 3 was unambiguously determined by multinuclear NMR and single crystal X-ray analysis. This compound has also been shown to catalyze the transfer hydrogenation of ketones to the corresponding secondary alcohols efficiently with 2-propanol as the hydrogen source instead of using molecular dihydrogen gas or hazardous reducing agents (e.g., NaBH4 and LiAlH4), and tBuOK as the base.