Ruthenium Bidentate Ligand Catalyst for Mild Ester Hydrogenation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogenation processes for reducing esters or lactones to alcohols or diols using ruthenium/phosphine complexes require high pressures and temperatures, and lack diversity in ligand structures, limiting process tuning and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of ruthenium complexes with bidentate ligands consisting of amino or imino and phosphino groups, along with a base, to facilitate hydrogenation of esters or lactones under milder conditions, allowing for a broader range of substrate conversions and product diversity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ruthenium/phosphine complexes with limited ligand diversity are used, then hydrogenation of esters can be achieved, but the process requires very high pressures (70-130 bars) and temperatures (120-180°C)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the catalyst system by introducing bidentate ligands with amino/imino and phosphino groups, which fundamentally alters the catalytic properties and allows operation at lower temperatures and pressures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite catalyst system combining ruthenium metal center with bidentate ligands containing both amino/imino and phosphino groups, where the synergistic interaction between different functional groups enables milder reaction conditions
2Reliability
If ruthenium/phosphine complexes with limited ligand diversity are used, then hydrogenation of esters can be achieved, but the process requires very high pressures (70-130 bars)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the catalyst system by introducing bidentate ligands with amino/imino and phosphino groups, which fundamentally alters the catalytic properties and allows operation at lower pressures
3Device complexity
If ruthenium complexes with acac ligands and phosphine atoms only are used, then catalyst structure is simple, but the diversity of ligand structure and coordination sphere around the metal center is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by introducing specific functional groups (amino/imino and phosphino) at specific positions around the ruthenium center, creating diverse coordination environments that enhance catalytic versatility while maintaining a clear structural framework
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite ligand structures combining different functional groups (amino/imino + phosphino) that coordinate to the ruthenium center, providing both structural definition and chemical diversity
4Ease of manufacture
If ruthenium complexes with limited ligand diversity are used, then catalyst preparation is straightforward, but tuning of the activity and performance of the hydrogenation process is not easy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the ligand design into modular components (amino/imino group + phosphino group) that can be independently selected and combined, allowing systematic tuning of catalytic activity and performance while maintaining straightforward preparation protocols
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient reduction of esters or lactones to alcohols or diols at softer experimental conditions, enhancing process flexibility and product versatility, particularly suitable for pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and perfumery industries.
Implementation Method 1
at least one complex of formula [Ru(L2] b (L') a Y 2 ] wherein L2 represents a C4 -C40 bidentate ligand wherein the coordinating groups consist of one amino or imino group and one phosphino group
Implementation Method 2
processes for the reduction by hydrogenation, using molecular H 2 , of a C 3 -C 70 substrate containing one or two esters, or lactones, functional groups into the corresponding alcohol, or diol
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of catalytic hydrogenation and, more particularly, to the use of Ru complexes with bidentate ligands, having one amino or imino coordinating group and one phosphino coordinating group, in hydrogenation processes for the reduction of esters or lactones into the corresponding alcohol or diol respectively.