Abstract
The reactions of ruthenium(II) complexes, [RuHX(CO) (EPh3)2(B)] [X=H or Cl; E=P or As; B=PPh3, AsPh3 or pyridine(Py)] with tetradentate Schiff base ligands derived by condensing o‐aminophenol or o‐aminothiophenol with gloxyal or benzil have been carried out. The new complexes have been characterised by analytical, IR, electronic, 1H NMR spectral studies and are formulated as [Ru(CO)(B)(L)] [L=Schiff base anion; B=PPh3, AsPh3 or pyridine(Py)]. An octahedral structure has been tentatively proposed for the new complexes. The new complexes were found to be effective catalysts for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde using N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide as a co‐oxidant.