Base-Free, Acceptorless, and Chemoselective AlcoholDehydrogenation Catalyzedby an Amide-Derived NNN-Ruthenium(II) Hydride Complex.

The bmpi (1,3-bis(6′-methyl-2′-pyridylimino)isoindoline)pincer Ru(II) hydride complex catalyzes base-free, acceptorless, andchemoselective dehydrogenation of alcohols with liberation of dihydrogenunder moderate (<120 °C) conditions. Primary alcohols anddiols are converted to ester and lactone products with high conversionefficiencies. The catalyst system is remarkably selective for theoxidation of secondary alcohols in the presence of primary alcohols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]