Chemoselective Transfer Hydrogenation of Aldehydes with HCOONH₄ Catalyzed by RuCl(CNN^Ph)(PP) Pincer Complexes

Abstract

Abstract Aldehydes were chemoselectively reduced to primary alcohols by using HCOONH 4 as the hydrogen donor through transfer hydrogenation catalyzed by benzo[ h ]quinoline pincer complexes RuCl(CNN Ph )(PP) at substrate to catalyst molar ratios of 2000 to 20 000. This practical reaction performed with aldehydes of commercial‐grade purity in a water/toluene biphasic system afforded alcohols without the formation of condensation or amination side products.