A Versatile Ruthenium Precursor for Biphasic Catalysis and Its Application in Ionic Liquid Biphasic Transfer Hydrogenation:  Conventional vs Task-Specific Catalysts

Abstract

The synthesis of a novel imidazolium-tagged ruthenium complex, which represents a versatile precursor for aqueous and ionic liquid biphasic catalysis, is reported. Its utility is demonstrated in the highly enantioselective ionic liquid biphasic transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone and is compared to conventional (untagged) complexes.