Redox isomerisation of allylic alcohols catalysed by water-soluble ruthenium complexes in aqueous systems

The process of catalytic isomerisation of various allylic alcohols (alk-1-en-3-ols) into saturated ketones under mild conditions is reported. The water-soluble Na4[{RuCl2(mtppms)2}2] complex, previously reported by us as a precursor to very active hydrogenation catalysts was also found an active catalyst of the redox isomerisation of allylic alcohols in aqueous media. The new Na[Ru(CO)Cp(mtppms)2] as well as Na4[{RuCl(μ-Cl)(Cdouble bond; length as m-dashCdouble bond; length as m-dashCPh2)(mtppms)2}2] and Na2[RuClCp(mtppms)2] also showed good to excellent catalytic activities for redox isomerisations in aqueous systems at 50–80 °C under inert atmosphere.