Abstract:
Transfer hydrogenation of ketones is an important method to produce alcohols for various industrial applications. Herein, we described the synthesis of two new μ-oxo-bridged diiron complexes 1 and 2 having nitrogen donors only, and tested their application in the transfer hydrogenation (TH) of aromatic ketones using isopropyl alcohol (i-PrOH) as a hydrogen donor. The identities of these complexes were confirmed using various analytical and spectroscopic evidence. Moreover, the structure of complex 1 was confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis. During the catalytic activity, complexes 1 and 2 interestingly formed nanoparticles (NPs) (50–60 nm) in the presence of a base which was supported by FESEM and PXRD analysis and demonstrated efficient TH of various aromatic ketones providing good to excellent yields (∼90–100%) under mild reaction conditions which were authenticated by GC-MS/NMR/XPS analysis. Additionally, the formation of isopropylideneacetone established the in situ generation of acetone and suggests the formation of a metal hydride intermediate. Both the catalysts (1 and 2) showed strong selectivity exclusively towards aromatic ketones, while the corresponding aldehydes showed negligible conversions.
