Efficient Base-Free Aqueous Reforming of Methanol Homogeneously Catalyzed by Ruthenium Exhibiting a Remarkable Acceleration by Added Catalytic Thiol

Abstract

turnover number of over 130 000. On the basis of both experimental and computational studies, a mechanism is proposed which involves outer-sphere dehydrogenations promoted by a unique ruthenium complex with thiolate as an assisting ligand. The current system overcomes the need for added base in homogeneous methanol reforming and also highlights the unprecedented acceleration of catalytic activity of metal complexes achieved by the addition of a catalytic amount of thiol.