Metal-Catalyzed Selective Deoxygenation of Diols to Alcohols

Abstract

The internal OH group of 1,2-propanediol is selectively removed in the deoxygenation catalyzed by [{Cp*Ru(CO)₂ }₂ (μ-H)]⁺ OTf^- (1, Cp*=C₃ Me₅ , OTf=trifluoromethanesulfonate; see scheme). This reaction provides a model for deoxygenation of polyols derived from carbohydrates, for use in alternative, biomass-based feedstock applications. An ionic mechanism is proposed that involves the dihydrogen complex [Cp*Ru(CO)₂ (η² -H₂ )]⁺ .