Homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of free carboxylic acids in the presence of cluster ruthenium carbonyl hydrides

Saturated monocarboxylic acids up to C₆, several bicarboxylic acids and some of the corresponding anhydrides are hydrogenated in the homogeneous phase with H₄Ru₄(CO)₈(PBu₃)₄ as catalyst to give the corresponding alcohols (present among the reaction products as esters) or lactones at 100–200°C under a pressure of 100–200 atm of hydrogen. Anhydrides react at temperatures lower than those needed for acids. Esters are not reduced. Only δ-valerolactone is hydrogenated to 1,5-pentanediol. Ruthenium carbonyl carboxylates have been recovered at the end of the reaction and appear to be catalytically active intermediates.