Studies on Ruthenium(III) Chalconate Complexes Containing PPh3/AsPh3

The reactions of [RuX3(EPh3)3] (X = Cl or Br; E = P or As) with 2'-hydroxychalcones in benzene under reflux led to the formation of [RuX2(EPh3)2(L)] (X = Cl or Br; E = P or As; L = chalconates). The new complexes have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic (IR, electronic, and EPR) data. The redox behavior of the complexes has also been studied. Based on the data, an octahedral structure has been assigned for all the complexes. The new complexes exhibit efficient catalytic activity for the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols into their corresponding aldehydes and ketones in the presence of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMO) as co-oxidant and also found efficient catalytic activity for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones. The antifungal properties of the complexes have also been examined and compared with standard Bavistin. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.