Ruthenium carbonyl carboxylates with nitrogen containing ligands: Part V. On the syntheses and catalytic activity of new ruthenium complexes containing bicarboxylate ligands

New ruthenium carbonyl carboxylates were synthesised from Ru3(CO)12 and (+)(2R,3R)-tartaric acid or 2,3-O-isopropyliden-(+)(2R,3R)-tartaric acid to improve their solubility in hydroalcoholic solvents. Reactions of these complexes and [Ru2(CO)4(succ)]n {succ=butan-1,4-dioate} with nitrogen containing ligands, gave Ru2(CO)4(N–N)2(bicarb) complexes {N–N=2,2′-bipyridine, 3,3′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridine, bicarb: (+)(2R,3R)-tartrate or 2,3-O-isopropyliden-(+)(2R,3R)-tartrate, or butan-1,4-dioate}, soluble in hydroalcoholic solvents. These compounds are catalytically active in the homogeneous hydrogenation of CC and CO double bonds in water containing solvents with a high selectivity towards CC double bonds.