Abstract: | Two new half‐sandwich Ru (II)(p‐cymene) complexes ( 1 and 2 ) containing dopamine‐based (N, O) Schiff base ligands ( L 1 H and L 2 H ) were synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR, UV–Visible and 1H & 13C NMR spectral techniques, and elemental analyses. The spectroscopic and analytical data revealed monobasic bidentate coordination of the ligands with Ru ion. The molecular structures of L 1 H , L 2 H and 2 were further confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction study. Complexes 1 and 2 have been employed as catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones using 2‐propanol as a hydrogen source at 85 °C under base‐free condition. Good to the excellent yield of secondary alcohols, gram scale synthesis, and high TON and TOF made this catalytic system interesting. |