Cooperative Electrocatalytic and Chemoselective Alcohol Oxidation by Shvo's Catalyst

Merging electrocatalytic alcohol oxidation with C-N bond formation by electrifying metal-ligand cooperative catalysts

Electrification of thermal chemical processes could play an important role in creating a more energy efficient chemical sector. Here we demonstrate that a range of MLC catalysts can be successfully electrified and used for imine formation from alcohol precursors, thus demonstrating the first example of molecular electrocatalytic C-N bond formation.This novel concept allowed energy efficiency to be increased by an order of magnitude compared to thermal catalysis. Molecular EAO and the electrification of homogeneous catalysts can thus contribute to current efforts for the electrocatalytic generation of C-N bonds from simple building blocks.

Synthesis and Structures of Ruthenium Carbonyl Complexes Bearing Pyridine-Alkoxide Ligands and Their Catalytic Activity in Alcohol Oxidation

Reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with two equiv of 6-bromopyridine alcohols 6-bromopyCHROH [(R = C₆H₅ (L1); R = 4-CH₃C₆H₄ (L2); R = 4-OMeC₆H₄ (L3); R = 4-ClC₆H₄ (L4); (R = 4-CF₃C₆H₄ (L5); R = 2-OMeC₆H₄ (L6); R = 2-CF₃C₆H₄ (L7)] and 6-bromopyC(Me)₂OH (L8) in refluxing xylene afforded novel trinuclear ruthenium complexes [6-bromopyCHRO]₂Ru₃(CO)₈ (1a-1g) and [6-bromopyC(Me)₂O]₂Ru₃(CO)₈ (1h). These complexes were characterized by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy as well as elemental analysis. The structures of all the complexes were further confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. In the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the source of oxidant, complexes 1a-1h displayed high catalytic activities for oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols and most of oxidation reactions could be completed within 1 h at room temperature.

Ruthenium carbonyl complexes with pyridylalkanol ligands: synthesis, characterization and catalytic properties for aerobic oxidation of secondary alcohols

Several new trinuclear ruthenium carbonyl complexes were synthesized and their application in aerobic oxidation of secondary alcohols was also established.

Synthetic Organic Electrochemical Methods Since 2000: On the Verge of a Renaissance

Electrochemistry represents one of the most intimate ways of interacting with molecules. This review discusses advances in synthetic organic electrochemistry since 2000. Enabling methods and synthetic applications are analyzed alongside innate advantages as well as future challenges of electroorganic chemistry.