Shvo’s Diruthenium Complex [(η⁵-C₄Ph₄COHOCC₄Ph₄-η⁵)(μ-H)(CO)₄Ru₂]

Introduction

After robust diruthenium complex 1 was reported by ­Shvo, [1] it found enormous utility in organic synthesis as a versatile catalyst, and it is now called Shvo complex. The main reason for its efficient catalytic activity is that it dissociates into 2 and 3 in the reaction mixture under thermal conditions. The 16-electron species 2 and 18-electron complex 3 play vital roles in the catalytic cycle. [2] Recently, a modified procedure for the synthesis of Shvo complex was reported by Bäckvall and co-workers. [3] Shvo complex serves as an effective catalyst in many organic transformations, including the reduction of aldehydes and ketones to alcohols, [4] bimolecular disproportionation reaction of aldehydes to esters, [5] isomerization of allylic alcohols [6] and oxidation of alcohols. [7] In addition, Shvo complex as a racemization catalyst in dynamic kinetic ­resolution (DKR) is well precedented. [8]

References

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