Hydrogenation/dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles Catalyzed by Ruthenium Complexes Based on Multimodal Proton-Responsive CNN(H) Pincer Ligands

Ru complexes based on lutidine-derived pincer CNN(H) ligands having secondary amine side donors are efficient precatalysts in the hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles. Reaction of a Ru-CNN(H) complex with an excess of base produces the formation of a Ru(0) derivative, which is observed under catalytic conditions.