Process for the preparation of ruthenium hydrogenation catalysts and products thereof

US5726334A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Richard P. Beatty · Newark, US
• Rocco Paciello · Bad Dürkheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 19, 1996
• Grant date: Mar 10, 1998
• Expiry date: Sep 19, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01J2531/821
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

This invention relates to a process for the preparation of ruthenium complexes of the formula RuH.sub.2 L.sub.2 (PR.sub.3).sub.2, wherein each L is independently H.sub.2 or an additional equivalent of PR.sub.3, and each R is independently H, a hydrocarbyl group, or an assembly of at least two hydrocarbyl groups connected by ether or amine linkages, comprising contacting a source of ruthenium and PR.sub.3 with gaseous hydrogen in the presence of a strong base, a phase-transfer catalyst, water and an organic solvent; and the use of certain classes of ruthenium complexes as catalysts in hydrogenation, and reductive hydrolysis processes.