Facile synthesis of (eta(5)-Ph4C4COH)(CO)(2)RuCl and catalytic oxidation of alcohols with chloroform

Abstract

A hydroxycyclopentadienyl ruthenium chloride, (eta(5)-Ph4C4COH)(CO)(2)RuCl (2), is formed quantitatively by heating the Shuo complex, {[(eta(5)-Ph4C4CO)](2)H}-Ru-2(CO)(4)(mu-H) (1) (1), in chloroform containing a stoichiometric amount of ethanol. Alcohols are oxidized by the use of 1 or 2 as the catalyst in chloroform with sodium carbonate. Secondary alcohols and primary diols are oxidized selectively to give ketones and lactones, respectively, in excellent yields.