Abstract
Ru(II) complexes with the general formula [RuCl2(p-cymene)(L1-3)], K1–3, (L1–3: monodentate benzimidazole ligands), [RuCl2(L5–6)(S)], K4–7, (L5–6: tridentate benzimidazole ligands, S: Solvents [methanol or acetonitrile]), and [RuCl2(L5)(L1–2)], K8–9, were synthesized from [RuCl2(p–cymene)]2 dimer and mono- and tridentate benzimidazole ligands. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, and NMR. The synthesized Ru(II) complexes (K1–9) were tested as catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation (TH) of acetophenone to secondary alcohols in the presence of KOH using 2–propanol as a hydrogen source at 82°C. All complexes were active catalysts for TH of acetophenone with good yields under mild conditions (after 60 minutes, yields of up to 97%).