Catalytic Conversion of Alcohols to Carboxylic Acid Salts and Hydrogen with Alkaline Water

A [RuH­(CO)­(py-NP)­(PPh3)2]Cl (1) catalyst is found to be effective for catalytic transformation of primary alcohols, including amino alcohols, to the corresponding carboxylic acid salts and two molecules of hydrogen with alkaline water. The reaction proceeds via acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohol, followed by a fast hydroxide/water attack to the metal-bound aldehyde. A pyridyl-type nitrogen in the ligand architecture seems to accelerate the reaction.