Homogeneous Catalysis of C-H Bond Activation by a Novel Ruthenium(III)-Complex

A novel mixed-ligand [Ru^III(amp)(pic)(H₂O)] complex (1) (H₂amp = N-(hydroxyphenyl)salicyldimine; pic = picolinate) has been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical methods. Complex 1has been found to be an effective catalyst in oxo-functionalization of C-H bond of organic substrates by using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) as a terminal oxidant. Formation of a high valent Ru(V)-oxo species as catalytic intermediate is proposed to be the source of oxygen atom in the oxidised product.