Pyridine‐Enhanced Head‐to‐Tail Dimerization of Terminal Alkynes by a Rhodium–N‐Heterocyclic‐Carbene Catalyst

A general regioselective rhodium‐catalyzed head‐to‐tail dimerization of terminal alkynes is presented. The presence of a pyridine ligand (py) in a Rh–N‐heterocyclic‐carbene (NHC) catalytic system not only dramatically switches the chemoselectivity from alkyne cyclotrimerization to dimerization but also enhances the catalytic activity. Several intermediates have been detected in the catalytic process, including the π‐alkyne‐coordinated Rh^I species [RhCl(NHC)(η²‐HC?CCH₂Ph)(py)] ( 3 ) and [RhCl(NHC){η²‐C(tBu)?C(E)CH?CHtBu}(py)] ( 4 ) and the Rh^III–hydride–alkynyl species [RhClH{? C?CSi(Me)₃}(IPr)(py)₂] ( 5 ). Computational DFT studies reveal an operational mechanism consisting of sequential alkyne C? H oxidative addition, alkyne insertion, and reductive elimination. A 2,1‐hydrometalation of the alkyne is the more favorable pathway in accordance with a head‐to‐tail selectivity.     

N‐(2‐benzimidazolylquinolin‐8‐yl)benzamidate half‐titanocene chlorides: Synthesis,characterization and their catalytic behavior toward ethylene polymerization

A series of N‐(2‐benzimidazolyquinolin‐8‐yl)benzamidate half‐titanocene chlorides, Cp′TiLCl ( C1 – C8 : Cp′ = C₅H₅, MeC₅H₄, or C₅Me₅; L = N‐(benzimidazolyquinolin‐8‐yl)benzamides)), was synthesized by the KCl elimination reaction of half‐titanocene trichlorides with the correspondent potassium N‐(2‐benzimidazolyquinolin‐8‐yl)benzamide. These half‐titanocene complexes were fully characterized by elemental and NMR analyses, and the molecular structures of complexes C2 and C8 were determined by the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The high stability of the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl complex ( C8 ) was evident by no decomposing nature of its solution in air for one week. The oxo‐bridged dimeric complex ( C9 ) was isolated from the solution of the corresponding cyclopentadienyl complex ( C3 ) solution in air. Complexes C1 – C8 exhibited good to high catalytic activities toward ethylene polymerization and ethylene/α‐olefin copolymerization in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) cocatalyst. In the typical catalytic system of C1/ MAO, the polymerization productivities were enhanced with either elevating reaction temperature or increasing the ratio of MAO to titanium precursor. In general, it was observed that higher the catalytic activity of the catalytic system lower the molecular weight of polyethylene. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3154–3169, 2009     

Iridium‐Catalyzed ortho‐Arylation of Benzoic Acids with Arenediazonium Salts

In the presence of catalytic [{IrCp*Cl₂}₂] and Ag₂CO₃, Li₂CO₃ as the base, and acetone as the solvent, benzoic acids react with arenediazonium salts to give the corresponding diaryl‐2‐carboxylates under mild conditions. This C? H arylation process is generally applicable to diversely substituted substrates, ranging from extremely electron‐rich to electron‐poor derivatives. The carboxylate directing group is widely available and can be removed tracelessly or employed for further derivatization. Orthogonality to halide‐based cross‐couplings is achieved by the use of diazonium salts, which can be coupled even in the presence of iodo substituents.     

Catalytic activities of NHC‐PdCl2 species based on functionalized tetradentate imidazolium salt in three types of C‐C coupling reactions

A functionalized tetradentate imidazolium salt 9,10‐bis{di[2′‐(N‐ethylimidazolium‐1‐yl)ethyl]aminomethyl}anthracene tetrakis(hexafluorophosphate) ( 1 ) has been synthesized and characterized. The catalytic activity of the NHC‐PdCl₂ species formed by compound 1 and PdCl₂ was tested in Suzuki‐Miyaura, Heck‐Mizoroki and Sonogashira reactions. The results showed that this catalytic system was effective for above three types of C‐C coupling reactions.     

Synthesis of well‐defined pH‐responsive PPEGMEA‐g‐P2VP double hydrophilic graft copolymer via sequential SET‐LRP and ATRP

A series of well‐defined double hydrophilic graft copolymers containing poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate) (PPEGMEA) backbone and poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (P2VP) side chains were synthesized by successive single electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The backbone was first prepared by SET‐LRP of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGMEA) macromonomer using CuBr/tris(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl)amine as catalytic system. The obtained homopolymer then reacted with lithium diisopropylamide and 2‐chloropropionyl chloride at ?78 °C to afford PPEGMEA‐Cl macroinitiator. poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate)‐g‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine) double hydrophilic graft copolymers were finally synthesized by. ATRP of 2‐vinylpyridine initiated by PPEGMEA‐Cl macroinitiator at 25 °C using CuCl/hexamethyldiethylenetriamine as catalytic system via the grafting‐ from strategy. The molecular weights of both the backbone and the side chains were controllable and the molecular weight distributions kept relatively narrow (M_w/M_n ≤ 1.40). pH‐Responsive micellization behavior was investigated by ¹H NMR, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy and this kind of double hydrophilic graft copolymer aggregated to form micelles with P2VP‐core while pH of the aqueous solution was above 5.0. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Lewis‐Pair‐Mediated Selective Dimerization and Polymerization of Lignocellulose‐Based β‐Angelica Lactone into Biofuel and Acrylic Bioplastic

This contribution reports an unprecedentedly efficient dimerization and the first successful polymerization of lignocellulose‐based β‐angelica lactone (β‐AL) by utilizing a selective Lewis pair (LP) catalytic system, thereby establishing a versatile bio‐refinery platform wherein two products, including a dimer for high‐quality gasoline‐like biofuel (C₈–C₉ branched alkanes, yield=87 %) and a heat‐ and solvent‐resistant acrylic bioplastic (M_n up to 26.0 kg mol^?1), can be synthesized from one feedstock by one catalytic system. The underlying reason for exquisite selectivity of the LP catalytic system toward dimerization and polymerization was explored mechanistically.     

Synthesis of ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight ethylene‐propylene copolymer via quasi‐living copolymerization with N‐heterocyclic carbene ligated vanadium complexes

The quasi‐living copolymerization of ethylene with propylene was achieved by using N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligated vanadium complex ( V3 , VOCl₃[1,3‐(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)₂(NCH?)₂C:]) due to the stabilization of active center by the introduction of bulky and electron rich NHC ligand with bulky isopropyl substituents at the ortho positions of the phenyl rings. The weight‐average molecular weight (M_w) of the resulting copolymer increases linearly with its weight in 20 min. The ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight (UHMW) ethylene‐propylene copolymer (M_w = 1612 kg mol^?1) can be synthesized with V3 /Et₃Al₂Cl₃ catalytic system. The novel complex V4′ (VCl₃[1,3‐(2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂)₂(NCH?)₂C:]·2THF) was constructed by the introduction of two coordinated tetrahydrofuran molecules and decrease in steric hindrance at the ortho positions of phenyl rings. The UHMW ethylene‐propylene copolymer (M_w = 1167 kg mol^?1) can also be synthesized by using V4′ /Et₃Al₂Cl₃ catalytic system. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 553–561     

ZnCl2‐Promoted Asymmetric Hydrogenation of β‐Secondary‐Amino Ketones Catalyzed by a P‐Chiral Rh–Bisphosphine Complex

A new catalytic system has been developed for the asymmetric hydrogenation of β‐secondary‐amino ketones using a highly efficient P‐chiral bisphosphine–rhodium complex in combination with ZnCl₂ as the activator of the catalyst. The chiral γ‐secondary‐amino alcohols were obtained in 90–94 % yields, 90–99 % enantioselectivities, and with high turnover numbers (up to 2000 S/C; S/C=substrate/catalyst ratio). A mechanism for the promoting effect of ZnCl₂ on the catalytic system has been proposed on the basis of NMR spectroscopy and HRMS studies. This method was successfully applied to the asymmetric syntheses of three important drugs, (S)‐duloxetine, (R)‐fluoxetine, and (R)‐atomoxetine, in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.     

Thermodynamic characteristics of poly(cyclohexylethylene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐ethylethylene) block copolymers

A series of poly(cyclohexylethylene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐ethylethylene) (C‐E/E_E) diblock copolymers containing approximately 50% by volume glassy C blocks and varying fraction (x) of E_E repeat units, 0.07 ≤ x ≤ 0.90, was synthesized by anionic polymerization and catalytic hydrogenation. The effects of ethyl branch content on the melt state segment–segment (χ) interaction parameter and soft (E/E_E) block crystallinity were studied. The percent crystallinity ranged from approximately 30% at x = 0.07 to 0% at about x ≥ 0.30, while the melting temperature changed from 101 °C at x = 0.07 to 44 °C at x = 0.28. Dynamic mechanical spectroscopy was employed to determine the order–disorder transition (ODT) temperatures, from which χ was calculated assuming the mean‐field prediction (χN_n)_ODT = 10.5. Previously published results for the temperature dependent binary interaction parameters for C‐E (x = 0.07), C‐E_E (x = 0.90), and E‐E_E (x = 0.07 and x = 0.90) fail to account for the quantitative x dependence of χ, based on a simple binary interaction model. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 566–574, 2010     

PNIPAM‐b‐(PEA‐g‐PDMAEA) double‐hydrophilic graft copolymer: Synthesis and its application for preparation of gold nanoparticles in aqueous media

A series of well‐defined double‐hydrophilic graft copolymers, consisting of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐b‐poly(ethyl acrylate) (PNIPAM‐b‐PEA) backbone and poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate) (PDMAEA) side chains, were synthesized by the combination of single‐electron‐transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) and atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). PNIPAM‐b‐PEA backbone was first prepared by sequential SET‐LRP of N‐isopropylacrylamide and 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate at 25 °C using CuCl/tris(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl)amine as catalytic system followed by the transformation into the macroinitiator by treating the pendant hydroxyls with 2‐chloropropionyl chloride. The final graft copolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions were synthesized by ATRP of 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate initiated by the macroinitiator at 40 °C using CuCl/tris(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl)amine as catalytic system via the grafting‐from strategy. These copolymers were employed to prepare stable colloidal gold nanoparticles with controlled size in aqueous solution without any external reducing agent. The morphology and size of the nanoparticles were affected by the length of PDMAEA side chains, pH value, and the feed ratio of the graft copolymer to HAuCl₄. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1811–1824, 2009     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate by copper(I)‐pyridine‐2‐carboximidate catalysts

Pyridine‐2‐carboximidates [methyl ( 1a ), ethyl ( 1b ), isopropyl ( 1c ), cyclopentyl ( 1d ), cyclohexyl ( 1e ), n‐octyl ( 1f ), and benzyl ( 1g )] were prepared from the reaction of 2‐cyanopyridine with the corresponding alcohols. Cyclopentyl‐substituted 1d was found to be a highly effective ligand for copper‐catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA). For example, the observed rate constant for a CuBr/ 1d catalytic system was found to be nearly twice as high as the cyclohexyl‐substituted CuBr/ 1e catalytic system [k_obs = (1.19 vs 0.56) × 10^?4 s^?1). The effects of the solvents, temperature, catalyst/initiator, and solvent/monomer ratio on the ATRP of MMA were studied systematically for the CuBr/ 1d catalytic system. The optimum condition for the ATRP of MMA was found to be a 1:2:1:400 [CuBr]_o/[ 1d ]_o/[ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate]_o/[MMA]_o ratio at 60 °C in veratrole solution, which yielded well‐defined poly(MMA) with a narrow molecular weight distribution of 1.14. The catalytically active copper complex 2d was isolated from the reaction of CuBr with 1d . Narrow molecular weight distributions as low as 1.06 were achieved for the CuBr/ 1d catalytic system by employing 10% of the deactivator CuBr₂. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2747–2755, 2004     

Synthesis and Characterization of Crystalline Styrene‐b‐(Ethylene‐co‐Butylene)‐b‐Styrene Triblock Copolymers

By merit of dual catalysis of the cationic rare‐earth complex [(η⁵‐Flu‐CH₂‐Py)Ho(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF) (Flu = fluorenyl, Py = pyridyl) for the living polymerizations of butadiene (BD) and styrene (St), the crystalline styrene‐butadiene‐styrene (SBS) triblock copolymers consisting of elastic polybutadiene (PBD) sequences with suitable 1,4 regularity (about 70%) and crystalline syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS, [rrrr] > 99%) sequences were successfully synthesized through sequential addition of St, BD, and St monomers. The catalytic system showed high polymerization activities for St and BD in a controlled manner. The crystalline styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene (SEBS) triblock copolymers were obtained by hydrogenation of the above SBS copolymers. The observation of a strong endothermic peak at 266 °C in their differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves confirmed the existence of the sPS blocks in the crystalline SEBS different from the industrial product Kraton SEBS‐1652. Thermal degradation temperature of the crystalline SEBS (418 ± 2 °C) indicated the well thermostability and process window of this polymer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 55, 1243–1249     

Efficient Fe‐Co‐N‐C Electrocatalyst Towards Oxygen Reduction Derived from a Cationic CoII‐based Metal–Organic Framework Modified by Anion‐Exchange with Potassium Ferricyanide

Fe‐Co‐N‐C electrocatalysts have proven superior to their counterparts (e.g. Fe‐N‐C or Co‐N‐C) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we report on a unique strategy to prepare Fe‐Co‐N‐C?x (x refers to the pyrolysis temperature) electrocatalysts which involves anion‐exchange of [Fe(CN)₆]^3? into a cationic Co^II‐based metal‐organic framework precursor prior to heat treatment. Fe‐Co‐N‐C‐900 exhibits an optimal ORR catalytic performance in an alkaline electrolyte with an onset potential (E_onset: 0.97 V) and half‐wave potential (E_1/2: 0.86 V) comparable to that of commercial Pt/C (E_onset=1.02 V; E_1/2=0.88 V), which outperforms the corresponding Co‐N‐C‐900 sample (E_onset=0.92 V; E_1/2=0.84 V) derived from the same MOF precursor without anion‐exchange modification. This is the first example of Fe‐Co‐N‐C electrocatalysts fabricated from a cationic Co^II‐based MOF precursor that dopes the Fe element via anion‐exchange, and our current work provides a new entrance towards MOF‐derived transition‐metal (e.g. Fe or Co) and nitrogen‐codoped carbon electrocatalysts with excellent ORR activity.     

Synthesis of well‐defined amphiphilic graft copolymer bearing poly(2‐acryloyloxyethyl ferrocenecarboxylate) side chains via successive SET‐LRP and ATRP

A series of well‐defined ferrocene‐based amphiphilic graft copolymers, consisting of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐b‐poly(ethyl acrylate) (PNIPAM‐b‐PEA) backbone and poly(2‐acryloyloxyethyl ferrocenecarboxylate) (PAEFC) side chains, were synthesized by the combination of single‐electron‐transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). A new ferrocene‐based monomer, 2‐(acryloyloxy)ethyl ferrocenecarboxylate (AEFC), was prepared first and it can be polymerized via ATRP in a controlled way using methyl 2‐bromopropionate as initiator and CuBr/PMDETA as catalytic system in DMF at 40 °C. PNIPAM‐b‐PEA backbone was synthesized by sequential SET‐LRP of NIPAM and HEA at 25 °C using CuCl/Me₆TREN as catalytic system followed by the transformation into the macroinitiator by treating the pendant hydroxyls with α‐bromoisobutyryl bromide. The targeted well‐defined graft copolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n < 1.20) were synthesized via ATRP of AEFC initiated by the macroinitiator. The electro‐chemical behaviors of PAEFC homopolymer and PNIPAM‐b‐(PEA‐g‐PAEFC) graft copolymer were studied by cyclic voltammetry. Micellar properties of PNIPAM‐b‐(PEA‐g‐PAEFC) were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4346–4357, 2009     

RhI‐Catalyzed Cyclizative Addition Reaction of 1,6‐Enyne and Sulfonyl Chloride by Carbophilic Activation

The π‐acid‐catalyzed cyclizations of 1,n‐enynes by carbophilic activation have been extensively studied and appear as highly attractive processes, yet the cases within a catalytic cycle based on redox principle are rare. Herein, we report the cyclizative addition reactions of 1,6‐enynes and sulfonyl chlorides by using a [Rh(cod)Cl/dppf] (dppf=1,1′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) catalyst system. The process features the involvement of oxidative addition of sulfonyl chloride to Rh^I catalyst, which generates [(dppf)(RSO₂)RhCl₂] as a π‐acid species to trigger cyclizative addition in a 6‐endo‐dig manner by carbophilic activation. Moreover, the catalytic protocol is also applicable to 1,6‐diene analogues.     

Optically Active Helical Poly[(S)‐3‐vinyl‐2,2′‐dihydroxy‐1,1′‐binaphthyl]: New Ligand for Asymmetric Addition of Diethylzinc to Aryl Aldehyde

Poly[(S)‐3‐vinyl‐2,2′‐dihydroxy‐1,1′‐binaphthyl] (L*) was obtained by taking off the protecting groups of poly[(S)‐3‐vinyl‐2,2′‐bis(methoxymethoxy)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl] (poly‐ 1 ). L* was proved to keep a stable helical conformation in solution. The application of helical L* in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes has been studied. The catalytic system employing 10 mol% of L* and 150 mol% of Ti(OⁱPr)₄ was found to promote the addition of diethylzinc to a wide range of aromatic aldehydes, giving up to 99% enantiomeric excess (ee) and up to 93% yield of the corresponding secondary alcohol at 0°C. The chiral polymer can be easily recovered and reused without loss of catalytic activity as well as enantioselectivity.     

Imino‐indolate half‐titanocene chlorides: Synthesis and their ethylene (co‐)polymerization

A series of imino‐indolate half‐titanocene chlorides, Cp′Ti(L)Cl₂ ( C1 – C7 : Cp′ = C₅H₅, MeC₅H₄, C₅Me₅, L = imino‐indolate ligand), were synthesized by the reaction of Cp′TiCl₃ with sodium imino‐indolates. All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, the molecular structures of two representative complexes C4 and C6 were confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. On activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO), these complexes showed good catalytic activities for ethylene polymerization (up to 7.68 × 10⁶ g/mol(Ti)·h) and ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerization (up to 8.32 × 10⁶ g/mol(Ti)·h), producing polyolefins with high molecular weights (for polyethylene up to 1808 kg/mol, and for poly(ethylen‐co‐1‐hexene) up to 3290 kg/mol). Half‐titanocenes containing ligands with alkyl substituents showed higher catalytic activities, whereas the half‐titanocenes bearing methyl substituents on the cyclopentadienyl groups showed lower productivities, but produced polymers with higher molecular weights. Moreover, the copolymerization of ethylene and methyl 10‐undecenoate was demonstrated using the C1 /MAO catalytic system. The functionalized polyolefins obtained contained about 1 mol % of methyl 10‐undecenoate units and were fully characterized by several techniques such as FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DSC, TGA and GPC analyses. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 357–372, 2009     

Catalytic Gas‐phase Fluorination of Hexachlorobutadiene to 1,2‐Dichlorotetrafluorocyclobutene over Cr/Zn‐based Catalysts

In this paper, the gas‐phase fluorination of hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD) to synthesize 1,2‐dichlorotetrafluorocyclobutene (DTB) was carried out over a series of Cr/M/Zn catalysts (M = Ni, Co, Cu, In, Al). The influence of prefluorination by different fluorinating agents (HF, 95%HF + 5%Cl₂, 95%HF + 5%O₂, CF₂O, CF₂Cl₂) on catalytic performance of Cr/Co/Zn sample was also investigated. The addition of prompters to the Cr/Zn catalyst improved remarkably its catalytic properties. The Cr/Ni/Zn catalyst exhibited the best catalytic activity (1.318 mmol/h/g) at 390 °C and the Cr/Co/Zn catalyst showed the best DTB selectivity (42.5%) at 350 °C. Compared to that of gaseous HF, the catalytic performance of the Cr/Co/Zn catalyst after treatment by HF + O₂ and CF₂O increased considerably, whereas for HF + Cl₂ and CF₂Cl₂ it showed little effect. In order to identify the different species (Cr─O, Cr─F, CrO _xF _y) present on catalysts’ surface and determine their exact role, these catalysts before and after the reaction were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the concentration of the various species was responsible for the activity and lifetime of catalysts. Moreover, a possible reaction route is proposed based upon the product distribution. The most feasible formation pathway of DTB proceeded via the cyclization of C₄Cl₄F₂ or C₄Cl₃F₃ to yield c‐C₄Cl₄F₂ and c‐C₄Cl₃F₃ followed by further the Cl/F exchange.     

Oxidative C−H/C−H Cross‐Coupling Reactions between N‐Acylanilines and Benzamides Enabled by a Cp*‐Free RhCl3/TFA Catalytic System

By making use of a dual‐chelation‐assisted strategy, a completely regiocontrolled oxidative C?H/C?H cross‐coupling reaction between an N‐acylaniline and a benzamide has been accomplished for the first time. This process constitutes a step‐economic and highly efficient pathway to 2‐amino‐2′‐carboxybiaryl scaffolds from readily available substrates. A Cp*‐free RhCl₃/TFA catalytic system was developed to replace the [Cp*RhCl₂]₂/AgSbF₆ system generally used in oxidative C?H/C?H cross‐coupling reactions between two (hetero)arenes (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, TFA=trifluoroacetic acid). The RhCl₃/TFA system avoids the use of the expensive Cp* ligand and AgSbF₆. As an illustrative example, the procedure developed herein greatly streamlines the total synthesis of the naturally occurring benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid oxynitidine, which was accomplished in excellent overall yield.     

Highly Dispersed Ruthenium Hydroxide Supported on Titanium Oxide Effective for Liquid‐Phase Hydrogen‐Transfer Reactions

Supported ruthenium hydroxide catalysts (Ru(OH)_x/support) were prepared with three different TiO₂ supports (anatase TiO₂ (TiO₂(A), BET surface area: 316 m² g^?1), anatase TiO₂ (TiO₂(B), 73 m² g^?1), and rutile TiO₂ (TiO₂(C), 3.2 m² g^?1)), as well as an Al₂O₃ support (160 m² g^?1). Characterizations with X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron spin resonance (ESR), and X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) showed the presence of monomeric ruthenium(III) hydroxide and polymeric ruthenium(III) hydroxide species. Judging from the coordination numbers of the nearest‐neighbor Ru atoms and the intensities of the ESR signals, the amount of monomeric hydroxide species increased in the order of Ru(OH)_x<Ru(OH)_x/TiO₂(C)<Ru(OH)_x/Al₂O₃<Ru(OH)_x/TiO₂(B)<Ru(OH)_x/TiO₂(A). These supported ruthenium hydroxide catalysts, especially Ru(OH)_x/TiO₂(A), showed high catalytic activities and selectivities for liquid‐phase hydrogen‐transfer reactions, such as racemization of chiral secondary alcohols and the reduction of carbonyl compounds and allylic alcohols. The catalytic activities of Ru(OH)_x/TiO₂(A) for these hydrogen‐transfer reactions were at least one order of magnitude higher than those of previously reported heterogeneous catalysts, such as Ru(OH)_x/Al₂O₃. These catalyses were truly heterogeneous, and the catalysts recovered after the reactions could be reused several times without loss of catalytic performance. The reaction rates monotonically increased with an increase in the amount of monomeric ruthenium hydroxide species, which suggests that the monomeric species are effective for these hydrogen‐transfer reactions.