Hydrogenation of aromatics with [Ru(g5-C5H5)Cl(TPPDS)2] in biphasic medium

Abstract

[Ru(g5-C5H5)Cl(TPPDS)2], [TPPDS=P(C6H5)(C6H4SO3 ))2] in biphasic (n-heptane/water) medium hydrogenates toluene, benzene and m-xylene (105 C, 1400 psig H2, substrate/catalyst=600:1, 4 h) and in toluene hydrogenation gives methylcyclohexane. Catalytic activity increases with temperature, H2 pressure, ionic strength, and pH lower than 10. The catalytic water solution can be reused several times with little activity loss.