New ruthenium(II) CNC-pincer bis(carbene) complexes: Synthesis and catalytic activity

Ru(CNC)(CO)Br-2 and [Ru(CNC)(2)](PF6)(2) complexes (CNC = 2,6-bis(butylimidazol-2-ylidene)pyridine) are accessible via a simple synthesis. The crystal structures of both complexes have been determined by means of X-ray diffractometry. The catalytic activity of the Ru(CNC)(CO)Br-2 precursor toward hydrogen transfer from alcohols to ketones and oxidation of olefins confirms the versatility of this new phosphine-free Ru catalyst.