Bis(pyridyl)carbodicarbene supported ruthenium complexes and their catalytic application in hydrogen-transfer reaction

We report the preparation and structural characterization of the first known pincer carbodicarbene (CDC) supported ruthenium complexes. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiment indicated that tridentate bis(pyridyl)-CDC free ligand is coordinated to the six-coordinated ruthenium (II) in meridional conformation with each of two chlorides trans to the carbone carbon and phosphine. The pincer effect of new ligand bis(pyridyl)-CDC has shortened the Ru-carbodicarbene bond length in comparison to monodentate CDC. The catalytic activity of the new CDC complexes was tested in hydrogen transfer reaction, revealing the efficient activity of CDC-supported Ru complexes in catalytic transfer hydrogenation of ketone using 2-propanol as hydrogen source.