Patent ID: 6509467
Filing Date: 2003-01-21
Classification: C07B,C07D

Abstract:
A process for the transfer hydrogenation of a compound of formula (1) wherein:X represents (NR3R4)+Qâˆ’, N+R5â€”Oâˆ’, (NR6OR7)+Qâˆ’, (NR8NR9R10)+Qâˆ’, (NR8NR9C(&boxH;NR11)R12)+Qâˆ’, (NR8NR9SO2R13)+Qâˆ’, or (NR8NR9COR14)+Qâˆ’; Qâˆ’ represents a monovalent anion; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, and R11 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, a perhalogenated hydrocarbyl or an optionally substituted heterocyclyl group, one or more of R1 & R2, R1 & R3, R2 & R4, R3 & R4, R1 & R5, R1 & R6, R2 & R7, R1 & R8, R1 & R9, R6 & R7, R8 & R9 and R9& R10 optionally being linked in such a way as to form an optionally substituted ring(s); and R12, R13 and R14 each independently represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, a perhalogenated hydrocarbyl or an optionally substituted heterocyclyl group; said process comprising reacting the compound of formula (1) with a hydrogen donor in the presence of a catalyst, characterised in that the catalyst has the general formula: wherein:R15 represents a neutral optionally substituted hydrocarbyl or perhalogenated hydrocarbyl ligand; A represents â€”NR16â€”, â€”NR17â€”, â€”NHR16, â€”NR16R17 or â€”NR17R18 where R16 is H, C(O)R18, SO2R18, C(O)NR18R22, C(S)NR18R22, C(&boxH;NR22)SR23 or C(&boxH;NR22)OR23, R17 and R18 each independently represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, perhalogenated hydrocarbyl or an optionally substituted heterocyclyl group, and R22 and R23 are each independently hydrogen or a group as defined for R18; B represents â€”Oâ€”, â€”OH, OR19, â€”Sâ€”, â€”SH, SR19, â€”NR19â€”, â€”NR20â€”, â€”NHR20, â€”NR19R20, â€”NR19R21, â€”PR19â€” or â€”PR19R21 where R20 is H, C(O)R21, SO2R21, C(O)NR21R24, C(S)NR21R24, C(&boxH;NR24)SR25 or C(&boxH;NR24)OR25, R19 and R21 each independently represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, perhalogenated hydrocarbyl or an optionally substituted heterocyclyl group, and R24 and R25 are each independently hydrogen or a group as defined for R21; E represents a linking group wherein A and B are linked through 2, 3 or 4 optionally substituted atoms; 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 carries a hydrogen atom.