Ruthenium (II) complexes of benzimidazole derivatives: synthesis, characterization, and catalytic properties in the hydrogenation of ketones

Abstract

Stable complexes with ruthenium are formed by benzimidazole derivative ligands. Here, 2-aryl-1H-benzimidazole (L1-3) and 1-benzyl-2-aryl-1H-benzimidazole (L4-6) were prepared. Heteroleptic arene [Ru^IICl₂(L1-6)] (K1-6) complexes were synthesized from the reaction of [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ with the synthesized benzimidazole derivatives. Various methods were used for the characterization of all synthesized compounds. The catalyst in the transfer hydrogenation reactions of acetophenone derivatives was K1-6. Good catalytic activity was found in the synthesized complexes.