Synthesis and catalytic activity of POCOP ruthenium(II) and iron(II) pincer complexes derived from 1,3- and 1,7-dihydroxynaphthalenes.

AbstractRuthenium(II) and iron(II) POCOP pincer complexes have readily been obtained from ligands derived from the 1,3- and 1,7-dihydroxynaphtalene isomers. The two ruthenium(II) isomers displayed remarkable catalytic activity for the Friedländer annulation, and the reaction was tolerant to a wide array of electron-withdrawing and -donating substituted ketones. The catalytic reactions produced selectively the quinoline derivatives in conversions up to 99% at low catalysts loadings with turnover numbers close to 1000. The iron catalysts also exhibited a notable catalytic activity, albeit lower than their ruthenium counterparts. These results mark a significant advancement in developing catalytic reactions with ruthenium and iron POCOP pincer derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]