Efficient transfer hydrogenation reactions with quinazoline-based ruthenium complexes

Abstract

(4-Phenylquinazolin-2-yl)methanamine was synthesized in high yield by starting from naturally and commercially available glycine in a few steps. The ligand was reacted with RuCl2(PPh3)(3) and RuCl2(PPh3) dppb to obtain N-heterocyclic ruthenium(II) complexes. We have examined these catalysts in transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone derivatives and excellent conversions of up to 99% and high TOF values of up to 118,800 h(-1) using 0.1 mol % of catalyst were achieved. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.