Highly active bidentate N-heterocyclic carbene/ruthenium complexes performing dehydrogenative coupling of alcohols and hydroxides in open air.

Eight bidentate NHC/Ru complexes, namely [Ru]-1–[Ru]-8, were designed and prepared. In particular, [Ru]-2 displayed extraordinary performance even in open air for the dehydrogenative coupling of alcohols and hydroxides. Notably, an unprecedentedly low catalyst loading of 250 ppm and the highest TON of 32 800 and TOF of 3200 until now were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]