Ruthenium Complexes Bearing α‑Diimine Ligands and Their Catalytic Applications in N‑Alkylation of Amines, α‑Alkylation of Ketones, and β-Alkylation of Secondary Alcohols

New Ru(II) complexes encompassing α-diimine ligands
were
synthesized by reacting ruthenium precursors with α-diimine
hydrazones. The new ligands and Ru(II) complexes were analyzed by
analytical and various spectroscopic methods. The molecular structures
of L1 and complexes 1, 3, and 4 were determined by single-crystal XRD
studies. The results reveal a distorted octahedral geometry around
the Ru(II) ion for all complexes. Moreover, the new ruthenium complexes
show efficient catalytic activity toward the C–N and C–C
coupling reaction involving alcohols. Particularly, complex 3 demonstrates effective conversion in N-alkylation of aromatic
amines, α-alkylation of ketones, and β-alkylation of alcohols.