Catalytic Upgrading of Ethanol to n-Butanol via Manganese-Mediated Guerbet Reaction

Replacement of precious metal catalysts in the Guerbet upgrade of ethanol to n-butanol with first-row metal complex catalysts is highly appreciated due to their economic and environmental friendliness. The manganese pincer complexes of the type [(RPNP)MnBr(CO)(2)] (R = Pr-i, Cy, Bu-t, Ph or Ad) are found to be excellent catalysts for upgrading ethanol to n-butanol. Under suitable reaction conditions and with an appropriate base, about 34% yield of n-butanol can be obtained in high selectivity. A detailed account on the effect of the temperature, solvent, nature, and proportion of base used and the stereoelectronic effects of the ligand substituents on the catalytic activity of the catalysts as well as the plausible deactivation pathways is presented.