Arene-ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) complexes as catalysts for nitrile hydration and aldoxime rearrangement reactions

Given their ease of access, modularity and robustness, arene-ruthenium(II) complexes have been extensively employed as catalysts for the formation of primary amides through nitrile hydration and aldoxime rearrangement reactions. Very recently, some arene-osmium(II) derivatives has also demonstrated their effectiveness in the catalytic hydration of nitriles. A survey of this chemistry is herein presented.