Efficient ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogenation of aromatic dicarboxylates supported by a 1-phenylethylamine-based P,N,N-ligand

The ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogenation of aromatic dicarboxylates supported by a 1-phenylethylamine-derived P,N,N-pincer ligand has been developed. The newly developed catalytic system displayed high efficiency to the hydrogenation of aromatic dicarboxylates with broad substrate scope and high func-tional group tolerance. The hydrogenation led to the formation of a variety of 1,2-, 1,3-and 1,4-ben-zenedimethanols as well as heteroaromatic dimethanols in good to high yields. The synthetic utility of the hydrogenation is highlighted by a gram-scale preparation of 1,4-benzenedimethanol at a low catalyst loading and the synthesis of pyrethroid hygienic insecticide heptafluthrin.(c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.