Research Projects

Organoruthenium complexes will be synthesized for their application in catalysis. Few selected compounds of ruthenium will be prepared first from the commercially available RuCl3.3H2O, which will be used as starting materials. Some other ruthenium starting compounds will be purchased. Ligands of different types will be prepared/procured. Though preference will be given to ligands with phosphorus and sulfur as donors, ligands containing imine (C=N-) and azo (-N=N-) chromophores, and arenes and carbenes will also be used. The targeted organoruthenium complexes, mostly containing ruthenium(II), will be synthesized by reacting the starting compounds with the selected ligands. Thorough characterization of the complexes will be done with the help of several analytical techniques. X-ray crystal structure of representative complexes will be determined, for unambiguous establishment of the identity of the complexes. Spectral and electrochemical properties of the complexes will be studied thoroughly. Attempts will be made to generate ruthenium(0) and ruthenium(I) species via in situ reduction of the ruthenium(II) complexes. Besides, ruthenium(I) species will also be generated from ruthenium(0) starting compounds by controlled oxidation. The organoruthenium complexes, having ruthenium in +2, +1 and 0 oxidation ststes, will be utilized as catalysts/pre-catalysts for chemical reaction of different types, such as: C-C and C-N cross-coupling, hydrogenation, hydration, hydrformylation, hydroamination, etc. Interesting and useful results are anticipated from this proposed study. The new complexes are expected to show novel structural features, reactivity and catalytic properties.