Active catalysts for hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions

Abstract

In the modern era, the extensively growing global energy demand is leading to the rapid decay of fossil fuels and non-renewable energy reserves. Therefore, we need an alternative for the same. Herein, we have synthesized 2-((phenylimino) methyl)phenol (L1), 2- ((phenylamino)methyl) phenol (L2), 2-((p-tolylimino)methyl)phenol (L3) and 2-((p-tolylamino)methyl)phenol (L4), 2-(((2,6-dimethylphenyl) imino)methyl)phenol (L5) and 2-(((2,6- dimethylphenyl)amino)methyl)phenol (L6), 2-((mesitylimino)methyl) phenol (L7) and 2-((mesitylamino)methyl)phenol (L8) by seeking help from the literature. After successful synthesis of these ligands, corresponding arene ruthenium complexes were prepared by using [(ղ6- arene)RuCl2]2 (arene = C10H14) as an initial source of Ru. All final products were characterized by NMR and mass spectrometry. The catalytic activity of these arene-ruthenium complexes was checked for dehydrogenation of formaldehyde and formic acid at 95 ◦C. Using water displacement system, the volume of gas evolved was measured and TON/TOF calculated per ruthenium atom.