ABSTRACT:
Research Article
Hydrogenolysis and Hydrogenation of Benzothiophene Catalyzed by Ruthenium Complexes
Trakarnpruk, W.,a,* Sriwan, R.b
a*Department of Chemistry,
Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University
bProgram of Petrochemistry and Polymer Science,
Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University,
Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Reaction of dinuclear ruthenium hydride complex, [C5Me5RuH2]2 in toluene solution with benzothiophene (BT) at ambient temperature under 30 atm of hydrogen, BT/Ru molar ratio 10:1, gives ethyl benzene (61% yield), hydrogenolysis product. Mononuclear ruthenium triphenylphosphine complexes synthesized. Reaction of mononuclear ruthenium phosphine complexes prepared in situ: C5Me5RuCl(PPh3)2, C5Me5RuH(PPh3)2, C5Me5RuH3(PPh3), with benzothiophene (BT) under 20 atm hydrogen, 85-110°C, BT/Ru molar ratio 20:1, yield hydrogenated product, dihydrobenzothiophene, DHBT (5-22% yield). The reaction performed in the presence of base, C5Me5RuCl(PPh3)2 yields DHBT (37% yield) and hydrogenolysis product, ethyl benzene, EB (2.5% yield).
