摘要：

The ternary system consisting of [RuCl2(η6-benzene)]2, N-tosylethylenediamine or ethanolamine, and KOH (Ru:amine:KOH = 1:1:2 molar ratio) catalyzes reversible hydrogen transfer between alcohols and carbonyl compounds. The use of chiral amine auxiliaries effects asymmetric transformation. The theoretical calculations using methanol/formaldehyde transformation as the model indicates the operation of a novel metalligand bifunctional catalysis, which is contrary to currently accepted putative pathways. The results reveal that: (1) KOH is necessary for the generation of a formal 16-electron Ru complex, Ru(NHCH2CH2Y)(η6-benzene) (Y = O or NH) (catalyst), from an 18-electron Ru chloride, RuCl(NH2CH2CH2Y)(η6-benzene) (precatalyst), by a Dcb elimination of HCl, and not for increasing alkoxide concentration; (2) Ru alkoxides do not intervene in transfer hydrogenation; (3) the Ru alkoxide, even if formed, serves merely as a reservoir of the 16-electron catalyst; (4) the key 18-electron Ru hydride, RuH(NH2CH2CH2Y)(...

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