Richard Paul Beatty

Process for the preparation of ruthenium hydrogenation catalysts and products thereof

This invention relates to a process for the preparation of ruthenium complexes of the formula RuH2 L2 (PR3)2, wherein each L is independently H2 or an additional equivalent of PR3, 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 PR3 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.