Patent ID: 6545188
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: B01J,C07B,C07C,C07F

Abstract:
A process for the transfer hydrogenation of a compound of formula (1) to produce a compound of formula (2): wherein:X represents CR3R4, NR5, (NR5R6)+Qâˆ’, O or S; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 each, independenly, represent a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, a perhalogenated hydrocarbyl or an optioally substituted heterocyclyl group, one or more of R1 and R2, R1 and R3, R2 and R4, R3 and R4, R1 and R5, R2 and R6 and R5 and R6 optionally being linked in such a way as to form an optionally substituted ring(s); and Qâˆ’ represents an anion; Said process comprising reacting the compound of formula (1) with a hydrogen donor in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst has the general formula: wherein:R7 represents an optionally substituted cyclopentadienyl group; A represents â€”NR8â€”, â€”NR9â€”, â€”NHR8 or â€”NR8R9 where R8 is H, C(O)R10, SO2R10, C(O)NR10R14, C(S)NR10R14, C(&boxH;NR14)SR15 or C(&boxH;NR14)OR15, R9 and R10 each independently represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, perhalogenated hydrocarbyl or an optionally substituted heretocyclyl group, and R14 and R15 are each independently hydrogen or a group as defined for R10; B represents â€”Oâ€”, â€”OH, OR11, â€”Sâ€”, â€”SH, SR11, â€”NR11â€”, â€”NR12â€”, â€”NHR12 or â€”NR11R12 where R12 is H, C(O)R13, SO2R13, C(O)NR13R16, C(S)NR13R16, C(&boxH;NR16)SR17 or C(&boxH;NR16)OR17, R11 and R13 each independently represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, perhalogenated hydrocarbyl or an optionally substituted heterocyclyl group, and R16 and R17 are each independently hydrogen or a group as defined for R13; E represents a linking group wherein A and B are linked through 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms, said carbon atoms being unsubstituted or substituted; M represents a group VIII transition metal; and Y represents an anionic group, a basic ligand or a vacant site; provided that when Y is not a vacant site that at least one of A or B is substituted with a hydrogen atom.