Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activities of ruthenium complexes containing triphenylphosphine/triphenylarsine and tetradentate Schiff bases

Ruthenium(II) complexes of the type [Ru(CO)(B)(L)] (B = AsPh3, pyridine, piperidine or morpholine; L = dianion of tetradentate Schiff bases) have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical methods. These complexes are found to be effective catalysts in the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols using N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide as oxidant. The catalytic activity of these triphenylarsine complexes have been compared with that of triphenylphosphine complexes and with similar ruthenium(III) complexes. The formation of high valent Run+2=O species as catalytic intermediate is proposed for the catalytic processes. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.