Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Octahedral Ruthenium(Ii) Complexes For C-H Bond Activation And Olefin Hydroarylation, Patrick Z. Zdunek

Honors Theses

The study of inert C-H bond activation of hydrocarbons has been gaining interest. As these hydrocarbons are used in the production of many consumables such as fuel, plastics, and detergents, it is necessary to efficiently utilize the finite quantity of petroleum feedstocks. Transition metal complexes are incorporated as catalysts into synthetic routes to create new C-X (X = C, N, O) bonds in order to increase the chemical value of organic molecules. The complex [Ru(η6-p-cymene){P(OCH2CF3)3}(Ph)(OTf)] (1) (P{OCH2CF3}3 = tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) phosphite, Ph = phenyl, OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate) was prepared and tested for functionality as a catalyst in olefin hydroarylation. Catalytic reactions …