Efficient Homogeneous Catalytic Hydrogenation of Esters to Alcohols

Abstract

With open arms: A ruthenium PNN complex (see scheme) catalyzes the hydrogenation of esters in high yields under neutral conditions. The analogous PNP complex is less active. A mechanism is proposed based on the hemilabile nature of the PNN ligand which allows a vacant site to be created by decoordination of the CH2NEt2 arm.