Tuning of the electronic properties of a cyclopentadienylruthenium catalyst to match racemization of electron-rich and electron-deficient alcohols

The synthesis of a new series of cyclopentadienylruthenium catalysts with varying electronic properties and their application in racemization of secondary alcohols are described. These racemizations involve two key steps: 1) β-hydride elimination (dehydrogenation) and 2) re-addition of the hydride to the intermediate ketone. The results obtained confirm our previous theory that the electronic properties of the substrate determine which of these two steps is rate determining. For an electron-deficient alcohol the rate-determining step is the β-hydride elimination (dehydrogenation), whereas for an electron-rich alcohol the re-addition of the hydride becomes the rate-determining step. By matching the electronic properties of the catalyst with the electronic properties of the alcohol, we have now shown that a dramatic increase in racemization rate can be obtained. For example, electron-deficient alcohol 15 racemized 30 times faster with electron-deficient catalyst 6 than with the unmodified standard catalyst 4. The application of these protocols will extend the scope of cyclopentadienylruthenium catalysts in racemization and dynamic kinetic resolution.