Reactivity of a Ru(<scp>iii</scp>)–hydroxo complex in substrate oxidation in water

Abstract

A mononuclear Ru(III)-OH complex oxidizes substrates such as hydroquinones in water through a pre-equilibrium process based on adduct formation by hydrogen bonding between the Ru(III)-OH complex and the substrates. The reaction mechanism switches from hydrogen atom transfer to electron transfer depending on the oxidation potential of substrates.