Bifunctional Ruthenium(II) PCP Pincer Complexes and Their Catalytic Activity in Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Reactions

New air-stable ruthenium complex 1, bearing the dibenzobarrelene-based cooperating ligand, was synthesized in 96% yield and fully characterized. The examination of its coordination chemistry revealed that the ruthenium center in 1 is slightly distorted from octahedral geometry, and 31P NMR is consistent with the formation of trans-spanned pincer complexes bearing strongly bent dibenzobarrelene-based ligands. The catalytic activity of the new complex was examined in acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohols and acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling of alcohols with amines.