Mechanism of Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Acetophenone Catalyzed by Chiral η⁶‐Arene–<i>N</i>‐Tosylethylenediamine–Ruthenium(II) Complexes

Chiral arene-N-tosylethylenediamine-Ru(II) complexes can be made to effect both asymmetric transfer hydrogenation and asymmetric hydrogenation of simple ketones through a slight functional modification and by switching reaction conditions. [Ru(OSO2CF3){(S,S)-TsNCH(C6H5)CH(C6H5)NH2}(eta(6)-p-cymene)] catalyzes the asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone in methanol to afford (S)-1-phenylethanol with 96% ee in 100% yield. Like the transfer hydrogenation catalyzed by similar Ru catalysts with basic 2-propanol or a formic acid/triethylamine mixture, this hydrogenation proceeds through a metal-ligand bifunctional mechanism. The reduction of the C=O function occurs via an intermediary 18e RuH species in its outer coordination sphere without metal-substrate interaction. The high catalytic efficiency relies on the facile ionization of the Ru triflate complex in methanol. The turnover rate is dependent on hydrogen pressure and medium acidity and basicity. The RuCl analogue can be used as a precatalyst, albeit less effectively. Unlike the well-known diphosphine-1,2-diamine-Ru(II)-catalyzed hydrogenation that proceeds in a basic alcohol, this reaction takes place under slightly acidic conditions, creating new opportunities for asymmetric hydrogenation.