Ruthenium(II)–NNN complex catalyzed Oppenauer-type oxidation of secondary alcohols

Highly efficient Oppenauer-type oxidation of secondary alcohols to the corresponding ketones has been realized by means of the ruthenium(II) complex catalysts bearing a 2-(benzoimidazol-2-yl)-6-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)pyridine ligand. The oxidation reaction underwent in the presence of acetone as oxidant under mild conditions, reaching final TOF values up to 3960 h−1. The hemilability of the ligand is attributed to the high catalytic activity of these Ru(II) complexes.