Ruthenium(II) complexes derived from 2-phenylthiazoline-4-carboxylic acid: structure and catalytic activity for transfer hydrogenation reaction

Piano-stool ([(p-cymene)Ru(thz)Cl], 2) and six-coordinated ([Ru(thz)(2)(PPh3)(2)], 3) ruthenium complexes derived from 2-phenylthiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (Hthz, 1) were synthesized for the first time, and fully characterized using conventional methods. Also, the molecular structure of complex 3 was determined using X-ray analysis. These complexes were evaluated as catalysts for transfer hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds in the presence of isopropyl alcohol and (KOBu)-Bu-t. Complex 2 was found to be more active than 3 in transfer hydrogenation. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.