Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones Using Recyclable (η6-Arene) Ruthenium(II) Naphthylazo-p-Methyl Phenolate Complex

Recyclable (η6-p-cymene)-ruthenium(II) 2-naphthylazo-p-methylphenolate catalyst of formulation [RuCl((η6-pcymene)( L)] (where L = mono anionic 2-naphthylazo-p-methylphenolate ligand) is shown to be an efficient catalyst for transfer hydrogenation of a wide range of alkyl and aryl ketones in the presence of 2-propanol and KOH.