Ruthenium nanoparticles ligated by cholesterol-derived NHCs and their application in the hydrogenation of arenes.

Herein we present ruthenium nanoparticles (Ru-NPs) stabilized with two rigid NHC ligands derived from cholesterol. The obtained nanoparticles were fully characterized and applied in the hydrogenation of various aromatic compounds under mild conditions. Interestingly, the more bulky ligand gives a slightly lower ligand coverage and a faster catalyst.