A cationic 1-(2-methylpyridine)phosphole cymene ruthenium chloride complex as an efficient catalyst in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Reaction of 2,5-diphenylphospholide anion with 2-chloromethylpyridine affords the 1-(2-methylpyridine)phosphole ligand. The corresponding cationic Ru-(cymene)Cl chelate complex catalyzes the hydrogen transfer process of ketones with very high TON and TOF numbers.