The catalytic activity of a cyclometalated ruthenium(III) complex for aerobic oxidative dehydrogenation of benzylamines

The ruthenium(III) complex bearing benzo[h]quinoline as a cyclometalated ligand was synthesized and characterized by ESI-MS, elemental analysis, cyclic voltammetry and crystallography. The complex serves as an efficient catalyst for the aerobic oxidative dehydrogenation of benzylamines to the corresponding benzonitriles under mild conditions.