Title of Invention	HYDROGENATION OF ESTERS WITH RU/BIDENTATE LIGANDS COMPLEXES
Abstract	The present invention relates to processes for the reduction by hydrogenation, using molecular H2, of a substrate containing one or two esters, or lactones, functional groups into the corresponding alcohol, or diol, said process is carried out in the presence of a base and at least one catalyst or pre-catalyst in the form of a ruthenium complex wherein the ruthenium is coordinated by a diphosphine bidentate ligand (PP ligand) and a diamino bidenfate ligand (NN ligand) comprising at least one substituted α-carbon and one primary amine as one of the coordinating atoms.

Title of Invention

HYDROGENATION OF ESTERS WITH RU/BIDENTATE LIGANDS COMPLEXES

Abstract

The present invention relates to processes for the reduction by hydrogenation, using molecular H2, of a substrate containing one or two esters, or lactones, functional groups into the corresponding alcohol, or diol, said process is carried out in the presence of a base and at least one catalyst or pre-catalyst in the form of a ruthenium complex wherein the ruthenium is coordinated by a diphosphine bidentate ligand (PP ligand) and a diamino bidenfate ligand (NN ligand) comprising at least one substituted α-carbon and one primary amine as one of the coordinating atoms.

Full Text	HYDROGENATION OF ESTERS WITH RU/BIDENTATE LIGANDS COMPLEXES Technical field The present invention relates to the field of catalytic hydrogenation and, more particularly, to the use of specific chiral Ru complexes with bidentate PP and NN ligands, in hydrogenation processes for the reduction of esters or lactones into the corresponding alcohol or diol respectively. Prior Art Reduction of an ester functional group to the corresponding alcohol is one of the fundamental reactions in organic chemistry, and is used in a large number of chemical processes. In general, two main types of processes are known to achieve such a transformation. Such types of processes are the following: a) hydride processes, in which a silyl or metal hydride salt, such as LiAlR4, is used; b) hydrogenation processes, in which molecular hydrogen is used. From a practical point of view, hydrogenation processes are more attractive as they can be run using small amounts of catalyst (typically 10 to 1000 ppm relative to the substrate) and in the presence of small quantities or even in the absence of solvent. Furthermore, hydrogenation processes do not require the use of highly reactive and expensive hydrides, and do not produce important amounts of aqueous waste. One of the mandatory and characterizing elements of hydrogenation processes is the catalyst or the catalytic system which is used to activate the molecular hydrogen in view of the reduction. The development of useful catalysts or catalytic systems for the hydrogenation of an ester functional group represents still an important, difficult and unpredictable task in chemistry. Amongst the few catalysts or catalytic systems known to perform such reductions one may cite the ruthenium/phosphine complexes, obtained by the reaction of ruthenium oxide or carboxylate precursor with a mono-, di- or tri-phosphine ligand (an example of which is described by Elsevier et al. in Chem. Commun., 1998, 1367). In this type of complex the ruthenium metal is coordinated only by "acac" ligands and phosphine atoms, limiting thus the diversity of the ligand structure and coordination sphere around the metal center. As a consequence of such little diversity, the tuning of the activity and of the performance of the hydrogenation process is not easy. Furthermore, the experimental conditions require very high pressures (at least 70-130 bars) and temperatures (120-180° C). However, there is still a need for hydrogenation processes using alternative catalysts or pre-catalysts, thus to have a greater diversity in the ligand structures and coordination spheres around the metal center and allowing a higher, and possibly easier, diversity in the experimental conditions and in the type of reaction which can be performed. Description of the invention In order to overcome the problems aforementioned, the present invention relates to processes for the reduction by hydrogenation, using molecular H2, of a C3-C70 substrate containing one, two or three esters, or lactones, functional groups into the corresponding alcohol, or diol, characterized in that said process is carried out in the presence of a base and at least one catalyst or pre-catalyst in the form of a ruthenium complex wherein the ruthenium is coordinated by a diphosphine bidentate ligand (PP ligand) and a diamino bidentate ligand (NN ligand) comprising at least one substituted α-carbon (relative to a coordinating nitrogen atom). According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the substrate can be a compound of formula (1) wherein Ra and Rb represent, simultaneously or independently, a linear, branched or cyclic C1-C30 aromatic, alkyl or alkenyl group, optionally substituted; or Ra and Rb are bonded together and form a C3-C20, preferably C4-C20, saturated or unsaturated group, optionally substituted. The corresponding alcohols (i.e (Il-a) and (Il-b)), or the corresponding diol (IF), of said substrate (I), are of formula wherein Ra and Rb are defined as in formula (I). A compound of formula (II) (i.e. Il-a or Il-b) will be obtained in the case where Ra and Rb are not bonded together, while a compound of formula (IF) will be obtained in the case where Ra and Rb are bonded together. It is understood that by "a linear, branched or cyclic aromatic, alkyl, or alkenyl group" it is meant that said Ra or Rb can be in the form of, e.g., a linear alkyl group or can also be in the form of a mixture of said type of groups, e.g. a specific Ra may comprise a linear alkyl, a branched alkenyl, a (poly)cyclic alkyl and an aryl moiety, unless a specific limitation to only one type is mentioned. Similarly, in all the below embodiments of the invention when a group is mentioned as being in the form of more than one type of topology (e.g. linear, cyclic or branched) and/or unsaturation (e.g. alkyl, aromatic or alkenyle) it is meant also a group which may comprise moieties having any one of said topologies or unsaturations, as above explained. A particular embodiment of the invention's process is shown in Scheme 1: According to a further embodiment of the invention, the substrate is an ester, or lactone, that will provide an alcohol, or a diol, that is usefiil in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical or perfurmery industry as final product or as an intermediate. Particularly preferred substrate is an ester, or lactone, that will provide an alcohol, or diol, which is useful in the perfumery industry as final product or as an intermediate. According to another embodiment of the invention, the substrate is a C5-C30 compound of formula (I), and in particular one may cite those wherein Ra and Rb represent simultaneously or independently a linear, branched or cyclic C1-C30 aromatic or alkyl group optionally substituted, or a cyclic C5-C30 alkenyl group optionally substituted; or Ra and Rb are bonded together and form a C4-C20 saturated or unsaturated linear, branched, mono-, di- or tri-cyclic group, optionally substituted. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the substrate is a C5-L20 compound of formula (I), wherein Ra and Rb represent simultaneously or independently a linear, branched or cyclic C5-C18 aromatic or alkyl group, optionally substituted, or a cyclic C5-C18 alkenyl group, optionally substituted; or Ra and Rb are bonded together and form a C4-C20 saturated or unsaturated hnear, branched, mono-, di- or tri-cyclic group, optionally substituted. Possible substituents of Ra and Rb are one, two or three halogen, ORC NRC2 or RC groups, in which RC is a hydrogen atom, a halogenated C1-C2 group or a C1 to C10 cyclic, linear or branched alkyl, or alkenyl group, preferably a C1 to C4 linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group. As other possible substituents one may also cite a group COORC which can also be reduced to the corresponding alcohol during the invention's process, according to the molar amount of H2 used, as well known by a person skilled in the art. Non-limiting examples of substrates are alkyl citmamates, sorbates or salycilates, alkyl esters of natural (fatty or not) acids, Sclareolide, spirolactones, allylic ester, di alkyl diesters, (un)substituted benzoic esters, and β-γ unsaturated esters. In particular, the substrate can be selected from the group consisting of sclareolide, C9-C15 spirolactones and C1-C4 alkyl esters of 4-methyl-6-(2,6,6-trimethyl-l-cyclohexen-l-yl)-3-hexenoic acid. One can also cite the di alkyl esters of 1,4-dicarboxylate-cyclohexane, the di C1-5 alkyl esters of the C2-10 alkanediyl-dicarboxylates, C1-5 alkyl cyclopropanecarboxylates, mono-, di- or tri- methoxybenzoic esters. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the substrate (I) is a racemic or optically active compound. Indeed in such a case, due to the fact that the invention complex may comprises at least one ligand which is in a optically active form, it is possible to selectively or preferentially hydrogenate one particular enantiomer of such substrate (kinetic resolution of the substrate). The process of the invention is characterized by the use, as catalyst or pre-catalyst (hereinafter referred to as complexes unless specified otherwise), of a ruthenium complex as described above. The complex can be in the form of an ionic or neutral species. According to an embodiment of the invention, the ruthenium complex can be of the general formula wherein n represents 0, 1 or 2; S represents a neutral C1-C26 neutral monodentate ligand; PP represents a C6-C60 bidentate ligand wherein the coordinating groups are two phosphino groups; NN represents a C3-C40 bidentate ligand wherein the coordinating groups are two amino groups, at least one of said amino groups is a primary amine (i.e. a NH2), and said ligand comprising at least one substituted α-carbon; and each Y represents, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen or halogen atom, a BH4 or AlH4 group, a hydroxyl group, or a C1-C6alkoxy or carboxylic radical. By the expression "said ligand comprising at least one substituted α-carbon", mentioned for the ligand NN, it is meant a ligand wherein at least one of the carbon atoms to which one of said amino groups is bound (the α-carbon) is not a CH3- or -CH2- group. Preferentially, said α-carbon is the one to which the coordinating NH2 group is bound. The catalyst or pre-catalyst can be also in a supported form, e.g. bounded to a polymer. The monodentate ligand can be a phosphine, like PPh3, CO or even a solvent. By the term "solvent" it has to be understood the usual meaning in the art and in particular compounds used as diluent in the preparation of the complex or during the invention's process. Non limiting examples of such solvent are dimethylsulfoxide, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, an alcohol (e.g. an C1-C4 alcohol), or also THF, acetone, pyridine or a C3-C8 ester or the substrate of the invention's process. In a particular embodiment of the invention, said NN or PP ligand may be a C3-C40 compound. In a particular embodiment of the invention, in formula (1), each Y represents, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen or chlorine atom, a hydroxy radical, a C1 to C6alkoxy radical, such as a methoxy, ethoxy or isopropoxy radical, or a C1 to C6acyloxy radical such as a CF3 COO or CH3COO or CH3CH2COO radical. More preferably, each Y represents, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen or chlorine atom, a methoxy, ethoxy or isopropoxy radical, or a CH3COO or CH3CH2COO radical. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, there can be used as complex a compound of formula wherein PP, NN and Y have the meaning indicated above. According to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments, the bidentate PP ligand is an optically active compound of formula wherein R1 and R2, when taken separately, represent, simultaneously or independently, a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C8 alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted, a C6to C10 aromatic group optionally substituted, or an OR3 or NR3R4 group, R3 and R4 being a C1 to C8 alkyl or alkenyl group; the groups R1 and R2, bonded to the same P atom, when taken together, may form a saturated or unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5 to 10 atoms and including the phosphorus atom to which said R2 and R1 groups are bonded ; and Q represents: - a group of formula wherein m is an integer from 1 to 5, and R5 and R6 represent, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen atom, a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C10 alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted, a C6-C10 aromatic group optionally substituted, or an OR7 or NR7R8 group, R7 and R8 being a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C10 alkyl or alkenyl group; two distinct R6 and/or R5 groups, taken together, may form a C5 to C8. or even up to C10, saturated ring optionally substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R6 or R5 group is bonded; or - a group of formula wherein m is an integer from 2 to 4, and two distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a C5 to C8, or even up to C10, aromatic ring optionally substituted or a C5-C12 metallocenediyl optionally substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R9 group are bonded; or three distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a naphthalene ring optionally substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R9 groups are bonded. According to an embodiment, by "aromatic group or ring" it is meant a phenyl or naphthyl derivative. According to another embodiment of the invention, Q represents a linear C2-C5 alkanediyl radical optionally substituted, a ferrocenediyl optionally substituted or a biphenyldiyl or binaphthildiyl radical optionally substituted. Possible substituents of R1 to R9 and Q are one or two halogen, C1 to C10 alkoxy or polyalkyleneglycols groups, halo- or perhalo-hydrocarbon, COORd, NRd2, quaternary amine or Rd groups, wherein Rd is a C1 to C6alkyl, or a C5 to C12 cycloalkyl, aralkyl (such as benzyl, phenethyl, etc) or aromatic group, the latter being also optionally substituted by one, two or three halogen, sulfonates groups or C1-C8 alkyl, alkoxy, amino, nitro, sulfonates, halo- or perhalo-hydrocarbon or ester groups. By "halo- or perhalo- hydrocarbon" it is meant groups such as CF3or CCIH2 for instance. In a particular embodiment of formula (3), PP is a bidentate ligand wherein R1 and R2 represent, simultaneously or independently, a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C6 alkyl group optionally substituted, a phenyl or naphthyl group optionally substituted; the groups R1 and R2, bonded to the same P atom, taken together, form a saturated or unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5, 6 or 7 atoms and including the phosphorus atom to which said R1 and R2 groups are bonded ; and Q represents: - a group of formula wherein m is an integer from 1 to 3, and two distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a C5 to C10 aromatic ring optionally substituted or a C5-C12 ferrocenediyl optionally substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R9 group are bonded; or three distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a naphthalene ring optionally substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R9 group are bonded. Possible substituents of R1 to R9 and Q, in particular when said groups are or contain phenyl groups or moieties, are one or two halogen, CF3groups or C1 to C5 alkoxy or polyalkyleneglycols groups, COORd, NRd2 or Rd groups, wherein Rd is a C1 to C4 alkyl, or a C5-6 cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aromatic group, the latter being also optionally substituted as above defined. Furthermore, in all the above embodiments, a particularly appreciated mode of realization is the one where said R1 and R2 groups are aromatic groups optionally substituted. Compound (1) can be in a supported form. As typical support one may cite Takeshi Ohkuma et al, in Advanced Synth.Catal. 2001, 343. 369. For instance in the PP ligand of the above-mentioned embodiments, the Q group may comprise a substituent OR15 as defined hereinbelow. A particular embodiment of formula (3) is represented by formula wherein R10 and R11 when taken separately, represent, simultaneously or independently, a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C5 alkyl group optionally substituted, a C6to C10 aromatic group optionally substituted; the groups R10 and R11 bonded to the same P atom, when taken together, may form a saturated or unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5 to 10 atoms and including the phosphorus atom to which said R10 and R11 groups are bonded; R12 , R13 and R14 when taken separately, represent, simultaneously or independently, a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C5 alkyl or alkoxy group optionally substituted, a phenyl group optionally substituted; one of said R12, R13 and R14 being optionally a OR15 group, R'^ representing a unit of the type Z-B'-, B' being a group linking the polymer Z and the ligand, selected from among the groups -(CH2)2-(O-C2H4)x- or -C(O)-(CH2)2-C(O)-NH- (CH2)2-(O-C2H4)x- are preferred, in which x is a whole number of about 60, -C(O)-, -(CH2)v- or -NH-C(O)-(CH2)v-C(O)-, v being a whole number from 1 to 4, and Z being a polymer or copolymer selected from among silica, polystyrene, the polyamides, the grafted copolymers of polystyrene and of polyoxyethylene of the Tentagel® type, the functionalised polystyrene of the Merrifield resin type, aminomethylated polystyrene, or [4-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxymethyl] polystyrene ("Wang resin") ; the two R13, or the R12 and R13 bounded to the same phenyl group, can be taken together to form a ring optionally substituted, having 5, 6 or 7 atoms and including the carbon atoms to which said R13 and/or R12 groups are bonded; at least one of said ring being optionally substituted by a OR12 group as defined above. Possible substituents of R10 to R14, in particular when said groups are or contain phenyl groups or moieties, are one or two halogen, CF3groups or C1 to C5 alkoxy or polyalkylenegiycols groups, COORd, NRd2 or Rd groups, wherein Rd is a C1 to C4 alkyl, or a C5-6 cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aromatic group, the latter being also optionally substituted as above defined. The Z polymers or copolymers are the state-of-art. The preferred ones are the resin of the "Wang" type, polystyrene or a resin of the so-called "Tentagel" type. According to a further embodiment of the invention the complexes of formula (4) are of formula (5) (BINAP derivatives) in which Ar' represents a phenyl group optionally substituted, and R16 represents a hydrogen atom or a OR15 as defined above. Optional substituents can be the one as defined above for R10. Particularly appreciated are the ligands (5) wherein R16 represents a hydrogen atom. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, particularly appreciated ligands PP are the C14-C44 derivatives of formula (3) and comprising one of the following moieties: - a metallocene-1,1 '-diphosphine of formula wherein each Ar represents a C6to C10 aromatic group as defined for R10 hereinabove. According to any one of the above mentioned embodiments, said PP ligand further comprise as coordinating atom at least one triaryl-phosphino group (i.e. PAr^, wherein Ar means an aromatic group), an alkyl-diaryl-phoshino group (i.e. P(alk)Ar2, wherein Ar means an aromatic group and Alk means a non aromatic group) or an dialkyl-aryl- phoshino group (i.e. P(alk)2Ar, wherein Ar means an aromatic group and Alk means a non aromatic group). According to a further development of said embodiment the two coordinating phosphino group of the PP ligand are triaryl-phosphine groups. According to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments, the NN bidentate ligand is a racemic or an optically active compound comprising at least one substituted α-carbon. Said NN ligand can be of formula wherein the dotted line indicates a single or double bond, provided that only one dotted line per nitrogen atom may indicate a double bond; b represents 0, 1 or 2; R21 represents a hydrogen atom or a R21 R22CH group, or, if the dotted line indicates a single bond may also represent a R21 R22C= group; c is 0 or 1 when the carbon-nitrogen bond with the dotted line represents a single or double bond respectively; and R21, R22, R23 R24, and R25 represent, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen atom, a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C10 alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted, a C6-C10 aromatic group optionally substituted; R21 and R24, taken together, may form a saturated or unsaturated heterocycle, optionally substituted and optionally containing one or two additional nitrogen or oxygen atoms, containing 5 to 10 atoms and including the carbon atoms and the N atom to which said R21 or R24 are bonded (such as a pyridine ring or a 2-pyrrolidine, a 2-piperidine or a 2-morpholine); R23 and R24, or R24 and R25 when taken together, form a saturated or unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5 to 12 atoms and including the carbon atom to which said R23 R24 or R25 groups are bonded; with the proviso that at least one of said R23 or R24 groups are not a hydrogen atom; provided that at least one R24 or R24 is not a hydrogen atom, and provided that at least one coordinating amino group is a primary amine (i.e. a NH2 group or at least one R21 is a hydrogen atom). According to an embodiment, by "aromatic group or ring" it is meant a phenyl or naphthyl derivative. Possible substituents of R21, R21 to R25 are one or two halogen, C1 to C10 alkoxy or polyalkyleneglycols groups, halo- or perhalo-hydrocarbon, COORe, NRe2, quaternary amine or Re groups, wherein Re is a C1 to C6alkyl, or a C5 to C12 cycloalkyl, aralkyl (such as benzyl, phenethyl etc..) or aromatic group, the latter being also optionally substituted by one, two or three halogen, sulfonates groups or C1-C8 alkyl, alkoxy, amino, nitro, sulfonates, halo- or perhalo-hydrocarbon or ester groups. By "halo- or perhalo- hydrocarbon" it is meant groups such as CF3or CC1H2 for instance. According to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments, R21, R22, R23, R24, and R5 represent, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen atom, a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C5 alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted, a phenyl group optionally substituted; R21 and R24, taken together, may form a saturated or unsaturated heterocycle, optionally substituted and optionally containing one or two additional nitrogen or oxygen atoms, containing 5 or 6 atoms and including the carbon atoms and the N atom to which said R21 or R24 are bonded; R23 and R24, or R24 and R25 when taken together, form a saturated or unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5 or 6 atoms and including the carbon atom to which said R23 R24 or R25 groups are bonded; with the proviso that at least one of said R23 or R24 groups are not a hydrogen atom. Alternatively, possible substituents of R21 to R25, in particular when said groups are or contain phenyl groups or moieties, are one or two halogen, CF3groups or C1 to C5 alkoxy or polyalkyleneglycols groups, COORe, NRe2 or Re groups, wherein Re is a C1 to C4 alkyl, or a C5-6 cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aromatic group, the latter being also optionally substituted as above defined. According to a further embodiment of the formula (9), the dotted lines represent a single bond. According to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments or combination thereof, a particular embodiment of formula (9) is represented by formula wherein d represents 0 or 1; and R26 or R26 represents each a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C6alkyl group or a phenyl group optionally substituted; two R26, or one R26 and one adjacent R27, taken together, may form a C3-C5 alkanediyl or alkenediyl; provided that at least one R26 or is not a hydrogen atom. Possible substituents of R27 or R26 are one or two halogen, C1 to C5 alkoxy or polyalkyleneglycols groups, COORe, NRe2 or Re groups wherein Re is a C1 to C4 alkyl, or a C5-6 cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aromatic group, the latter being also optionally substituted as defined above. According to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments or combination thereof, a particular embodiment of formula (12), the NN ligand can be one of the formulae wherein R29 represents a C1-C6alkyl group or a phenyl group optionally substituted, as above defined for R28, and R30 represents a hydrogen atom or a R29 group. According to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments, the two coordinating amino group of the NN hgand are primary amino groups (i.e. NH2) or in other words in formula (9) both dotted lines represent a single bond and both R21 represent each a hydrogen atom. Yet, according to a further embodiment, the two coordinating amino groups of the NN ligand are primary amino groups and the two α-carbons are substituted (e.g. in formula (9) the two R24 or the two R23 are not hydrogen atoms). According to any one of the embodiments of the invention, at least one of the ligands is in an optically active form. According to a further embodiment the NN ligand is in an optically active form. According to another embodiment, both PP and NN ligands can be in an optically form. In the present invention, by "optically active form" it is meant here a pure enantiomer or a mixture of enantiomer enriched in a particular enantiomer, in other terms a substrate, complex or ligand in an optically active form is characterised by a e.e. (enantiomeric excess) above 0, typically comprised between 10 and 100% or even between 50 and 100% or between 90 and 99.9%. The ligands described above can be obtained by applying standard general methods which are well known in the state of the art and by the person skilled in the art. Many of said ligands NN or PP are even commercially available. In a general way, the complexes of formula (1) can be prepared and isolated prior to their use in the process according to the general methods described in the literature (for example see H . Doucet et al, Angew.Chem.Int.Ed., 1998, 37, 1703. It is also understood that the complex of formula (I) can also be obtained in situ from complexes which have a similar formula or are cationic or anionic, for example a complex (1) wherein Y has another meaning. Alternatively can be used a complex of formula [Ru(PP)(Anion)2], which in the presence of a NN ligand are converted into a compound of formula (1). It is also possible to use a complex of formula [Ru(NN)(Anion)2] or [Ru(NN)(Anion)(Arene)](Anion), which in the presence of ligand PP are converted into a compound of formula (1). To carry out the processes of the invention it is required also to use a base. Said base can be the substrate itself, if the latter is basic, a corresponding alcoholate or any base having preferentially a pKa above 11. According to a particular embodiment of the invention said base may have a pKa above 14. It is also understood that preferably said base does not reduce itself a substrate of formula (I). As non-limiting examples one may cite the following type of base: alcoholate, hydroxides, alkaline or alkaline-earth carbonates, phosphazenes, amides, basic alox, siliconates (i.e. silicium derivatives having SiO" or SiRO" groups), hydrides such as NaBH4, NaH or KH. One can cite, as non-limiting examples, alkaline or alkaline-earth metal carbonates, such as cesium carbonate, an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal hydroxides, C1-10 amidures, C10-26 phosphazene or an alcoholate of formula (R31O)2M or R31OM', wherein M is an alkaline-earth metal, M' is an alkaline metal or an ammonium NR324, R31 stands for hydrogen or a C1 to C6linear or branched alkyl radical and R32 stands for a C1 to C10 linear or branched alkyl radical, such as sodium or potassium alcoholates. Of course, other suitable bases can be used. According to an embodiment of the invention, said base is an alkaline alcoholate of formula R31OM'. As previously mentioned, the processes of the invention consist in the hydrogenation of a substrate using a ruthenium complex and a base. A typical process implies the mixture of the substrate with the ruthenium complex, a base and optionally a solvent, and then treating such a mixture with molecular hydrogen at a chosen pressure and temperature. The complexes of the invention, an essential parameter of the process, can be added to the reaction medium in a large range of concentrations. As non-limiting examples, one can cite as complex concentration values those ranging from 50 ppm to 50000 ppm, relative to the amount of substrate. Preferably, the complex concentration will be comprised between 100 and 20000 ppm. It goes without saying that the optimum concentration of complex will depend, as the person skilled in the art knows, on the nature of the latter, on the nature of the substrate and on the pressure of H2 used during the process, as well as the desired time of reaction. Useful quantities of base, added to the reaction mixture, may be comprised in a relatively large range. One can cite, as non-limiting examples, ranges between 5 to 50000 molar equivalents, relative to the complex (e.g. base/com = 5 to 5000O), preferably 20 to 2000, and even more preferably between 50 and 1000 molar equivalents. The hydrogenation reaction can be carried out in the presence or absence of a solvent. When a solvent is required or used for practical reasons, then any solvent current in hydrogenation reactions can be used for the purposes of the invention. Non-limiting examples include aromatic solvents such as toluene or xylene, hydrocarbon solvents such as hexane or cyclohexane, ethers such as tetrahydrofuran or MTBE, polar solvents such as primary or secondary alcohols such as isopropanol or ethanol, or mixtures thereof The choice of the solvent is a function of the nature of the complex and the person skilled in the art is well able to select the solvent most convenient in each case to optimize the hydrogenation reaction. In the hydrogenation process of the invention, the reaction can be carried out at a H2 pressure comprised between 105 Pa and 80x105 Pa (1 to 80 bars) or even more if desired. Again, a person skilled in the art is well able to adjust the pressure as a function of the catalyst load and of the dilution of the substrate in the solvent. As examples, one can cite typical pressures of 1 to 50x105 Pa (1 to 50 bar). The temperature at which the hydrogenation can be carried out is comprised between 0°C and 120°C, more preferably in the range of between 20°C and 100°C. Of course, a person skilled in the art is also able to select the preferred temperature as a function of the melting and boiling point of the starting and final products as well as the desired time of reaction or conversion. Examples The invention will now be described in further detail by way of the following examples, wherein the temperatures are indicated in degrees centigrade and the abbreviations have the usual meaning in the art. All the procedures described hereafter have been carried out under an inert atmosphere unless stated otherwise. Hydrogenations were carried out in stainless steel autoclave. H2 gas (99.99990%) was used as received. All substrates and solvents were distilled from appropriate drying agents under Ar. NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker AM-400 (1H at 400.1MHz, 13C at 100.6 MHz, and 31P at 161.9 MHz) spectrometer and normally measured at 300 K, in CDCl3 unless indicated otherwise. Chemical shifts are listed in ppm. Example 1 Catalytic hvdrogenation of esters using in-situ formed complex [RuCl2(R-BINAP)(S DPEN)] General procedure for the catalytic hydrogenation of methyl benzoate as substrate: Under argon, a Keim autoclave was charged with a ruthenium R-BINAP complex precursor (O.01 mmol, 0.05 mol%) and S,S-DPEN (O.01 mmol, 0.05 mol%) followed by THF (2 ml) and the solution stirred for 5 minutes Then a solution of methyl benzoate (20 mmol) in THF (2 ml), followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), and a solution of tridecane (1 mmol) in THF (2 ml), as internal standard, followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), were successively added to the autoclave. Finally, solid NaOMe (1 mmol, 5 mol%) was added and the autoclave was pressurised with hydrogen gas at 50 bars and placed in a thermostatted oil bath set at 100°C. After 1 hour, the autoclave was removed from the oil bath, and cooled in a cold-water bath. Then, an aliquot (O.4 ml) was taken, diluted with MTBE (5 ml), washed with aq. sat. NH4Cl (5 ml), and filtered over a plug of celite and analyzed by GC, Com/Base: molar ratio in ppm relative to the substrate of complex and base. GC yield versus internal standard (in %, analysed by GC) of benzyl alcohol after 1 hour. Reaction conditions: H2 gas (50 bars), 100°C, 1 h, NaOMe as base and THF (2 M). Catalyst generated in-situ by pre-heating a solution of [Ru(TFA)2(cod)] and R-BINAP in MTBE/THF (10/1) at 100°C for 1 h and the solution used as is for the reaction. Example 2 Catalytic hvdrogenation of esters using in-situ formed complex [RuCl2(R-BINAP)(S,S- DPEN)] at various temperatures General procedure for the catalytic hydrogenation of methyl benzoate as substrate: Under argon, a Keim autoclave was charged with [RuCl2(R-BINAP)(dmf)2] (0.01 mmol, 0.05 mol%) and S,S-DPEN (O.01 mmol, 0.05 mol%) followed by THF (2 ml) and the solution stirred for 5 minutes. Then a solution of methyl benzoate (20 mmol) in THF (2 ml), followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), and a solution of tridecane (1 mmol) in THF (2 ml), as internal standard, followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), were successively added to the autoclave. Finally, solid NaOMe (1 mmol, 5 mol%) was added and the autoclave was pressurised with hydrogen gas at 50 bars and placed in a thermostatted oil bath set at the desired temperature. After the mentioned time, the autoclave was removed from the oil bath, and cooled in a cold-water bath. Then, an aliquot (O.4 ml) was taken, diluted with MTBE (5 ml), washed with aq. sat. NH4CI (5 ml), and filtered over a plug of celite and analyzed by GC. Com/Base: molar ratio in ppm relative to the substrate of complex and base. GC yield versus internal standard (in %, analysed by GC) of benzyl alcohol. Reaction conditions: H2 gas (50 bars), NaOMe as base and THF (2 M). Catalyst generated in-situ by pre-heating a solution of [RuCl(R-BINAP)(pCym)]Cl with S,S-DPEN in THF at 140°C for 1 h and the solution used as is for the reaction. Catalyst generated in-situ by pre-heating a solution of [RuCl(5,5-DPEN)(pCym)]Cl with R-BrNAP in THF at 140°C for 1 h and the solution used as is for the reaction. Example 3 Catalytic hydrogenation of esters using complex [RuCl2(PP)(S,S-DPEN)] General procedure for the catalytic hydrogenation of methyl benzoate as substrate: Under argon, a Keirn autoclave was charged with [RuCl2(PP)(dmf)2] (O.01 mmol, 0.05 mol%) and S,S-DPEN (O.01 mmol, 0.05 moI%) followed by THF (2 ml) and the solution stirred for 5 minutes. Then a solution of methyl benzoate (20 mmol) in THF (2 ml), followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), and a solution of tridecane (1 mmol) in THF (2 ml), as intemal standard, followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), were successively added to the autoclave. Finally, solid NaOMe (1 mmol, 5 mol%) was added and the autoclave was pressurised with hydrogen gas at 50 bars and placed in a thermostatted oil bath set at 60°C. After 2 h, the autoclave was removed from the oil bath, and cooled in a cold-water bath. Then, an aliquot (O.4 ml) was taken, diluted with MTBE (5 ml), washed with aq. sat. NH4Cl (5 ml), and fihered over a plug of celite and analyzed by GC. Com/Base: molar ratio in ppm relative to the substrate of complex and base. GC yield versus internal standard (in %, analysed by GC) of benzyl alcohol. Reaction conditions: H2 gas (50 bars), 60°C, 2 h, NaOMe as base and THF (2 M). ' Catalyst generated in-situ by pre-heating a solution of [Ru(TFA)2(cod)] and the diphosphine in MTBE/THF (10/1) at 100°C for 1 h and the solution used as is for the reaction. 2) The preformed complex was used here. 3) Catalyst generated in-situ by pre-heating a solution of [RuCl2(pCym)]2 with the diphosphine in EtOH/CH2Cl2 (4/1) at 50°C for 30 minutes. Followed by solvent evaporation, and heating the residue with S,S-DPEN in THF at 140°C for 1 h and the solution used as is for the reaction. Example 4 Catalytic hydrogenation of esters using complex [RuCl2(R-BINAP)(NN)] General procedure for the catalytic hydrogenation of methyl benzoate as substrate: Under argon, a Keim autoclave was charged with [RuCl2(i?-BES[AP)(dmf)2] (0.01 mmol, 0.05 mol%) and the diamine (O.01 mmol, 0.05 mol%) followed by THF (2 ml) and the solution stirred for 5 minutes. Then a solution of methyl benzoate (20 mmol) in THF (2 ml), followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), and a solution of tridecane (1 mmol) in THF (2 ml), as internal standard, followed by more THF (2x1 ml), were successively added to the autoclave. Finally, solid NaOMe (1 mmol, 5 mol%) was added and the autoclave was pressurised with hydrogen gas at 50 bars and placed in a thermostatted oil bath set at the desired temperature. After the mentioned time, the autoclave was removed from the oil bath, and cooled in a cold-water bath. Then, an aliquot (O.4 ml) was taken, diluted with MTBE (5 ml), washed with aq. sat. NH4Cl (5 ml), and filtered over a plug of celite and analyzed by GC. Com/Base: molar ratio in ppm relative to the substrate of complex and base. GC yield versus internal standard (in %, analysed by GC) of benzyl alcohol. Reaction conditions: H2 gas (50 bars), NaOMe as base and THF (2 M). * included only as comparative matter Example 5 Catalytic hydrogenation of various esters using complex [RuCl2(R-BINAP)(S,S-DPEN)] General procedure for the catalytic hydrogenation of methyl benzoate as substrate: Under argon, a Keim autoclave was charged with [RuCl2(R-BINAP)(dmf)2] (0.01 mmol, 0.05 mol%) and 5,5'-DPEN (0.01 mmol, 0.05 mol%) followed by THF (2 ml) and the solution stirred for 5 minutes. Then a solution of the desired ester (20 mmol) in THF (2 ml), followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), and a solution of tridecane (1 mmol) in THF (2 ml), as internal standard, followed by more THF (2x1 ml), were successively added to the autoclave. Finally, solid NaOMe (1 mmol, 5 mol%) was added and the autoclave was pressurised with hydrogen gas at 50 bars and placed in a thermostatted oil bath set at 60°C. After the mentioned time, the autoclave was removed from the oil bath, and cooled in a cold-water bath. Then, an aliquot (O.4 ml) was taken, diluted with MTBE (5 ml), washed with aq. sat. NH4Cl (5 ml), and filtered over a plug of celite and analyzed by GC. Table 5 : Hydrogenation of various esters using complex [RuCl2(R-BINAP)(S,S-DPEN)] Com/Base: molar ratio in ppm relative to the substrate of complex and base. GC: percent of product analysed by GC in the crude reaction mixture. Reaction conditions: H2 gas (50 bars), 60°C, NaOMe as base and THF (2 M). Claims 1. A process for the reduction by hydrogenation, using molecular H2, of a C3-C70 substrate containing one, two or three esters, or lactones, functional groups into the corresponding alcohol, or diol, characterized in that said process is carried out in the presence of a base and at least one catalyst or pre-catalyst of the general formula wherein n represent 0, 1 or 2; S represents a neutral C1-C26 neutral monodentate ligand; PP represents a C6-C60 bidentate ligand wherein the coordinating groups are two phosphino groups; NN represents a C3-C40 bidentate ligand wherein the coordinating groups are two amino groups, at least one of said amino groups is a primary amine, and wherein at least one of the carbon atoms to which one of said amino group is bound (the α-carbon) is not a CH3- or -CH2- group; and each Y represents, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen or halogen atom, a BR, or AlH4 group, a hydroxyl group, or a C1-C6alkoxy or carboxylic radical. 2. A process according to claim 1, characterised in that the catalyst or pre- catalyst of the general formula wherein PP, NN and Y are as defined in claim 1. 3. A process according to claim 1, characterised in that the bidentate PP ligand is an optically active compound of formula wherein R1 and R2, when taken separately, represent, simultaneously or independently, a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C8 alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted, a Ce to C10 aromatic group optionally substituted, or an OR3 or NR3R4 group, R3 and R4 being a C1 to C8 alkyl or alkenyl group; the groups R1 and R2, bonded to the same P atom, when taken together, may form a saturated or unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5 to 10 atoms and including the phosphorus atom to which said R2 and R1 groups are bonded ; and Q represents: - a group of formula wherein m is an integer from 1 to 5, and R5 and R6 represent, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen atom, a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C10 alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted, a C6-C10 aromatic group optionally substituted, or an OR7 or NR7R8 group, R7 and R8 being a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C10 alkyl or alkenyl group; two distinct R6 and/or R5 groups, taken together, may form a C5 to C8, or even up to C10, saturated ring optionally substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R6 or R5 group is bonded; or - a group of formula wherein m is an integer from 2 to 4, and two distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a C5 to C8, or even up to C10, aromatic ring optionally substituted or a C5-C12 metallocenediyl optionally substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R9 group are bonded; or three distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a naphthalene ring optionally substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R9 groups are bonded. 4. A process according to claim 3, characterised in that the ligand is of formula (3) wherein R1 and R2 represent, simultaneously or independently, a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C6 alkyl group optionally substituted, a phenyl or naphthyl group optionally substituted; the groups R1 and R2, bonded to the same P atom, taken together, form a saturated or unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5, 6 or 7 atoms and including the phosphorus atom to which said R1 and R2 groups are bonded ; and Q represents: - a group of formula wherein m is an integer from 1 to 3, and two distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a C5 to C10 aromatic ring optionally substituted or a C5-C12 ferrocenediyl optionally substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R9 group are bonded; or three distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a naphthalene ring optionally substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R9 group are bonded. 5. A process according to claim 3, characterised in that the ligand of formula (3) comprise one of the moieties: - a metallocene-1,1 -diphosphine of formula wherein each Ar represents a C6to C10 aromatic group optionally substituted by one or two halogens, CF3groups or C1 to C5 alkoxy or polyalkyleneglycols groups, COORd , NRd2 or Rd groups, wherein Rd is a C1 to C4 alkyl, or a C5-6 cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aromatic group. 6. A process according to claim 1, characterised in that the hgand NN is of formula wherein the dotted line indicates a single or double bond, provided that only one dotted line per nitrogen atom may indicate a double bond; b represents 0, 1 or 2; R21 represents a hydrogen atom or a R21 R22CH group, or, if the dotted line indicates a single bond may also represent a R21 R22C= group; c is 0 or 1 when the carbon-nitrogen bond with the dotted line represents a single or double bond respectively; and R21 , R22, R23, R24, and R25 represent, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen atom, a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C10 alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted, a C6-C10 aromatic group optionally substituted; R21 and R25, taken together, may form a saturated or unsaturated heterocycle, optionally substituted and optionally containing one or two additional nitrogen or oxygen atoms, containing 5 to 10 atoms and including the carbon atoms and the N atom to which said R21 or R24 are bonded; R24 and R24, or R24 and R25 when taken together, form a saturated or unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5 to 12 atoms and including the carbon atom to which said R23 R24 or R25 groups are bonded; with the proviso that at least one of said R23 or R24 groups are not a hydrogen atom; provided that at least one R24 or R22 is not a hydrogen atom, and provided that at least one coordinating amino group is a primary amine. 7. A process according to claim 6, characterised in that the ligand NN is of formula wherein d represents 0 or 1; and R26 or R27 represents each a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C6alkyl group or a phenyl group optionally substituted; two R26, or one R26 and one adjacent R27 taken together, may form a C3-C5 alkanediyl or alkenediyl; provided that at least one R26 or is not a hydrogen atom. 8. A process according to claims 6, characterised in that NN ligand is a compound of one of the formulae wherein R29 represents a C1-C6alkyl group or a phenyl group optionally substituted, as defined above for R28, and R30 represents a hydrogen atom or a R29 group. 9. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that any one or the two of the Ugands PP or NN is in an optically active form. 10. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the base is selected in the group consisting of an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal carbonate, an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal hydroxide, a C1-10 amidure, a C10-26 phosphazene, and an alcoholate of formula (R31O)2M or R31OM', wherein M is an alkaline-earth metal, M' is an alkaline metal or an ammonium NR324+, R31 stands for hydrogen or a C1 to C6linear or branched alkyl radical and R32 stands for a C1 to C10 linear or branched alkyl radical. The present invention relates to processes for the reduction by hydrogenation, using molecular H2, of a substrate containing one or two esters, or lactones, functional groups into the corresponding alcohol, or diol, said process is carried out in the presence of a base and at least one catalyst or pre-catalyst in the form of a ruthenium complex wherein the ruthenium is coordinated by a diphosphine bidentate ligand (PP ligand) and a diamino bidenfate ligand (NN ligand) comprising at least one substituted α-carbon and one primary amine as one of the coordinating atoms.

Full Text

HYDROGENATION OF ESTERS WITH RU/BIDENTATE LIGANDS
COMPLEXES
Technical field
The present invention relates to the field of catalytic hydrogenation and, more
particularly, to the use of specific chiral Ru complexes with bidentate PP and NN ligands,
in hydrogenation processes for the reduction of esters or lactones into the corresponding
alcohol or diol respectively.
Prior Art
Reduction of an ester functional group to the corresponding alcohol is one of the
fundamental reactions in organic chemistry, and is used in a large number of chemical
processes. In general, two main types of processes are known to achieve such a
transformation. Such types of processes are the following:
a) hydride processes, in which a silyl or metal hydride salt, such as LiAlR4, is used;
b) hydrogenation processes, in which molecular hydrogen is used.
From a practical point of view, hydrogenation processes are more attractive as they
can be run using small amounts of catalyst (typically 10 to 1000 ppm relative to the
substrate) and in the presence of small quantities or even in the absence of solvent.
Furthermore, hydrogenation processes do not require the use of highly reactive and
expensive hydrides, and do not produce important amounts of aqueous waste.
One of the mandatory and characterizing elements of hydrogenation processes is
the catalyst or the catalytic system which is used to activate the molecular hydrogen in
view of the reduction. The development of useful catalysts or catalytic systems for the
hydrogenation of an ester functional group represents still an important, difficult and
unpredictable task in chemistry.
Amongst the few catalysts or catalytic systems known to perform such reductions
one may cite the ruthenium/phosphine complexes, obtained by the reaction of ruthenium
oxide or carboxylate precursor with a mono-, di- or tri-phosphine ligand (an example of
which is described by Elsevier et al. in Chem. Commun., 1998, 1367). In this type of
complex the ruthenium metal is coordinated only by "acac" ligands and phosphine atoms,
limiting thus the diversity of the ligand structure and coordination sphere around the metal

center. As a consequence of such little diversity, the tuning of the activity and of the
performance of the hydrogenation process is not easy. Furthermore, the experimental
conditions require very high pressures (at least 70-130 bars) and temperatures
(120-180° C).
However, there is still a need for hydrogenation processes using alternative
catalysts or pre-catalysts, thus to have a greater diversity in the ligand structures and
coordination spheres around the metal center and allowing a higher, and possibly easier,
diversity in the experimental conditions and in the type of reaction which can be
performed.
Description of the invention
In order to overcome the problems aforementioned, the present invention relates to
processes for the reduction by hydrogenation, using molecular H2, of a C3-C70 substrate
containing one, two or three esters, or lactones, functional groups into the corresponding
alcohol, or diol, characterized in that said process is carried out in the presence of a base
and at least one catalyst or pre-catalyst in the form of a ruthenium complex wherein the
ruthenium is coordinated by a diphosphine bidentate ligand (PP ligand) and a diamino
bidentate ligand (NN ligand) comprising at least one substituted α-carbon (relative to a
coordinating nitrogen atom).
According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the substrate can be a
compound of formula (1)
wherein Ra and Rb represent, simultaneously or independently, a linear, branched or cyclic
C1-C30 aromatic, alkyl or alkenyl group, optionally substituted; or
Ra and Rb are bonded together and form a C3-C20, preferably C4-C20, saturated or
unsaturated group, optionally substituted.
The corresponding alcohols (i.e (Il-a) and (Il-b)), or the corresponding diol (IF),
of said substrate (I), are of formula

wherein Ra and Rb are defined as in formula (I).
A compound of formula (II) (i.e. Il-a or Il-b) will be obtained in the case where Ra
and Rb are not bonded together, while a compound of formula (IF) will be obtained in the
case where Ra and Rb are bonded together.
It is understood that by "a linear, branched or cyclic aromatic, alkyl, or alkenyl
group" it is meant that said Ra or Rb can be in the form of, e.g., a linear alkyl group or can
also be in the form of a mixture of said type of groups, e.g. a specific Ra may comprise a
linear alkyl, a branched alkenyl, a (poly)cyclic alkyl and an aryl moiety, unless a specific
limitation to only one type is mentioned. Similarly, in all the below embodiments of the
invention when a group is mentioned as being in the form of more than one type of
topology (e.g. linear, cyclic or branched) and/or unsaturation (e.g. alkyl, aromatic or
alkenyle) it is meant also a group which may comprise moieties having any one of said
topologies or unsaturations, as above explained.
A particular embodiment of the invention's process is shown in Scheme 1:

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the substrate is an ester, or
lactone, that will provide an alcohol, or a diol, that is usefiil in the pharmaceutical,
agrochemical or perfurmery industry as final product or as an intermediate. Particularly
preferred substrate is an ester, or lactone, that will provide an alcohol, or diol, which is
useful in the perfumery industry as final product or as an intermediate.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the substrate is a C5-C30
compound of formula (I), and in particular one may cite those wherein Ra and Rb represent

simultaneously or independently a linear, branched or cyclic C1-C30 aromatic or alkyl group
optionally substituted, or a cyclic C5-C30 alkenyl group optionally substituted; or Ra and Rb
are bonded together and form a C4-C20 saturated or unsaturated linear, branched, mono-,
di- or tri-cyclic group, optionally substituted.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the substrate is a C5-L20
compound of formula (I), wherein Ra and Rb represent simultaneously or independently a
linear, branched or cyclic C5-C18 aromatic or alkyl group, optionally substituted, or a cyclic
C5-C18 alkenyl group, optionally substituted; or Ra and Rb are bonded together and form a
C4-C20 saturated or unsaturated hnear, branched, mono-, di- or tri-cyclic group, optionally
substituted.
Possible substituents of Ra and Rb are one, two or three halogen, ORC NRC2 or RC
groups, in which RC is a hydrogen atom, a halogenated C1-C2 group or a C1 to C10 cyclic,
linear or branched alkyl, or alkenyl group, preferably a C1 to C4 linear or branched alkyl or
alkenyl group. As other possible substituents one may also cite a group COORC which can
also be reduced to the corresponding alcohol during the invention's process, according to
the molar amount of H2 used, as well known by a person skilled in the art.
Non-limiting examples of substrates are alkyl citmamates, sorbates or salycilates,
alkyl esters of natural (fatty or not) acids, Sclareolide, spirolactones, allylic ester, di alkyl
diesters, (un)substituted benzoic esters, and β-γ unsaturated esters. In particular, the
substrate can be selected from the group consisting of sclareolide, C9-C15 spirolactones and
C1-C4 alkyl esters of 4-methyl-6-(2,6,6-trimethyl-l-cyclohexen-l-yl)-3-hexenoic acid. One
can also cite the di alkyl esters of 1,4-dicarboxylate-cyclohexane, the di C1-5 alkyl esters of
the C2-10 alkanediyl-dicarboxylates, C1-5 alkyl cyclopropanecarboxylates, mono-, di- or tri-
methoxybenzoic esters.
According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the substrate (I) is a
racemic or optically active compound. Indeed in such a case, due to the fact that the
invention complex may comprises at least one ligand which is in a optically active form, it
is possible to selectively or preferentially hydrogenate one particular enantiomer of such
substrate (kinetic resolution of the substrate).
The process of the invention is characterized by the use, as catalyst or pre-catalyst
(hereinafter referred to as complexes unless specified otherwise), of a ruthenium complex
as described above. The complex can be in the form of an ionic or neutral species.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the ruthenium complex can be of the
general formula

wherein n represents 0, 1 or 2;
S represents a neutral C1-C26 neutral monodentate ligand;
PP represents a C6-C60 bidentate ligand wherein the coordinating groups are two
phosphino groups;
NN represents a C3-C40 bidentate ligand wherein the coordinating groups are two amino
groups, at least one of said amino groups is a primary amine (i.e. a NH2), and said ligand
comprising at least one substituted α-carbon; and
each Y represents, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen or halogen atom, a BH4 or
AlH4 group, a hydroxyl group, or a C1-C6alkoxy or carboxylic radical.
By the expression "said ligand comprising at least one substituted α-carbon",
mentioned for the ligand NN, it is meant a ligand wherein at least one of the carbon atoms
to which one of said amino groups is bound (the α-carbon) is not a CH3- or -CH2- group.
Preferentially, said α-carbon is the one to which the coordinating NH2 group is bound.
The catalyst or pre-catalyst can be also in a supported form, e.g. bounded to a
polymer.
The monodentate ligand can be a phosphine, like PPh3, CO or even a solvent. By
the term "solvent" it has to be understood the usual meaning in the art and in particular
compounds used as diluent in the preparation of the complex or during the invention's
process. Non limiting examples of such solvent are dimethylsulfoxide, acetonitrile,
dimethylformamide, an alcohol (e.g. an C1-C4 alcohol), or also THF, acetone, pyridine or a
C3-C8 ester or the substrate of the invention's process.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, said NN or PP ligand may be a C3-C40
compound.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, in formula (1), each Y represents,
simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen or chlorine atom, a hydroxy radical, a C1 to
C6alkoxy radical, such as a methoxy, ethoxy or isopropoxy radical, or a C1 to C6acyloxy
radical such as a CF3 COO or CH3COO or CH3CH2COO radical. More preferably, each Y

represents, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen or chlorine atom, a methoxy,
ethoxy or isopropoxy radical, or a CH3COO or CH3CH2COO radical.
According to a particular embodiment of the invention, there can be used as
complex a compound of formula

wherein PP, NN and Y have the meaning indicated above.
According to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments, the bidentate PP
ligand is an optically active compound of formula

wherein
R1 and R2, when taken separately, represent, simultaneously or independently, a linear,
branched or cyclic C1 to C8 alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted, a C6to C10
aromatic group optionally substituted, or an OR3 or NR3R4 group, R3 and R4 being a C1 to
C8 alkyl or alkenyl group; the groups R1 and R2, bonded to the same P atom, when taken
together, may form a saturated or unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5 to 10
atoms and including the phosphorus atom to which said R2 and R1 groups are bonded ; and
Q represents:
- a group of formula
wherein m is an integer from 1 to 5, and
R5 and R6 represent, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen atom, a linear,
branched or cyclic C1 to C10 alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted, a C6-C10
aromatic group optionally substituted, or an OR7 or NR7R8 group, R7 and R8 being a

linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C10 alkyl or alkenyl group; two distinct R6 and/or R5
groups, taken together, may form a C5 to C8. or even up to C10, saturated ring
optionally substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R6 or R5
group is bonded; or
- a group of formula
wherein m is an integer from 2 to 4, and
two distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a C5 to C8, or even up to C10,
aromatic ring optionally substituted or a C5-C12 metallocenediyl optionally
substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R9 group are bonded;
or
three distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a naphthalene ring optionally
substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R9 groups are bonded.
According to an embodiment, by "aromatic group or ring" it is meant a phenyl or
naphthyl derivative.
According to another embodiment of the invention, Q represents a linear C2-C5
alkanediyl radical optionally substituted, a ferrocenediyl optionally substituted or a
biphenyldiyl or binaphthildiyl radical optionally substituted.
Possible substituents of R1 to R9 and Q are one or two halogen, C1 to C10 alkoxy or
polyalkyleneglycols groups, halo- or perhalo-hydrocarbon, COORd, NRd2, quaternary
amine or Rd groups, wherein Rd is a C1 to C6alkyl, or a C5 to C12 cycloalkyl, aralkyl (such
as benzyl, phenethyl, etc) or aromatic group, the latter being also optionally substituted by
one, two or three halogen, sulfonates groups or C1-C8 alkyl, alkoxy, amino, nitro,
sulfonates, halo- or perhalo-hydrocarbon or ester groups. By "halo- or perhalo-
hydrocarbon" it is meant groups such as CF3or CCIH2 for instance.
In a particular embodiment of formula (3), PP is a bidentate ligand wherein
R1 and R2 represent, simultaneously or independently, a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C6
alkyl group optionally substituted, a phenyl or naphthyl group optionally substituted; the

groups R1 and R2, bonded to the same P atom, taken together, form a saturated or
unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5, 6 or 7 atoms and including the
phosphorus atom to which said R1 and R2 groups are bonded ; and
Q represents:
- a group of formula
wherein m is an integer from 1 to 3, and
two distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a C5 to C10 aromatic ring
optionally substituted or a C5-C12 ferrocenediyl optionally substituted, including the
carbon atoms to which each of said R9 group are bonded; or
three distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a naphthalene ring optionally
substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R9 group are bonded.
Possible substituents of R1 to R9 and Q, in particular when said groups are or
contain phenyl groups or moieties, are one or two halogen, CF3groups or C1 to C5 alkoxy
or polyalkyleneglycols groups, COORd, NRd2 or Rd groups, wherein Rd is a C1 to C4 alkyl,
or a C5-6 cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aromatic group, the latter being also optionally substituted
as above defined.
Furthermore, in all the above embodiments, a particularly appreciated mode of
realization is the one where said R1 and R2 groups are aromatic groups optionally
substituted.
Compound (1) can be in a supported form. As typical support one may cite Takeshi
Ohkuma et al, in Advanced Synth.Catal. 2001, 343. 369. For instance in the PP ligand of
the above-mentioned embodiments, the Q group may comprise a substituent OR15 as
defined hereinbelow.
A particular embodiment of formula (3) is represented by formula

wherein R10 and R11 when taken separately, represent, simultaneously or independently, a
linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C5 alkyl group optionally substituted, a C6to C10 aromatic
group optionally substituted; the groups R10 and R11 bonded to the same P atom, when
taken together, may form a saturated or unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5
to 10 atoms and including the phosphorus atom to which said R10 and R11 groups are
bonded;
R12 , R13 and R14 when taken separately, represent, simultaneously or independently, a
linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C5 alkyl or alkoxy group optionally substituted, a phenyl
group optionally substituted; one of said R12, R13 and R14 being optionally a OR15 group,
R'^ representing a unit of the type Z-B'-, B' being a group linking the polymer Z and the
ligand, selected from among the groups -(CH2)2-(O-C2H4)x- or -C(O)-(CH2)2-C(O)-NH-
(CH2)2-(O-C2H4)x- are preferred, in which x is a whole number of about 60, -C(O)-,
-(CH2)v- or -NH-C(O)-(CH2)v-C(O)-, v being a whole number from 1 to 4, and Z being a
polymer or copolymer selected from among silica, polystyrene, the polyamides, the grafted
copolymers of polystyrene and of polyoxyethylene of the Tentagel® type, the
functionalised polystyrene of the Merrifield resin type, aminomethylated polystyrene, or
[4-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxymethyl] polystyrene ("Wang resin") ;
the two R13, or the R12 and R13 bounded to the same phenyl group, can be taken together
to form a ring optionally substituted, having 5, 6 or 7 atoms and including the carbon
atoms to which said R13 and/or R12 groups are bonded; at least one of said ring being
optionally substituted by a OR12 group as defined above.
Possible substituents of R10 to R14, in particular when said groups are or contain
phenyl groups or moieties, are one or two halogen, CF3groups or C1 to C5 alkoxy or

polyalkylenegiycols groups, COORd, NRd2 or Rd groups, wherein Rd is a C1 to C4 alkyl, or
a C5-6 cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aromatic group, the latter being also optionally substituted as
above defined.
The Z polymers or copolymers are the state-of-art. The preferred ones are the resin
of the "Wang" type, polystyrene or a resin of the so-called "Tentagel" type.
According to a further embodiment of the invention the complexes of formula (4)
are of formula (5) (BINAP derivatives)

in which Ar' represents a phenyl group optionally substituted, and R16 represents a
hydrogen atom or a OR15 as defined above. Optional substituents can be the one as defined
above for R10. Particularly appreciated are the ligands (5) wherein R16 represents a
hydrogen atom.
According to a particular embodiment of the invention, particularly appreciated
ligands PP are the C14-C44 derivatives of formula (3) and comprising one of the following
moieties:
- a metallocene-1,1 '-diphosphine of formula

wherein each Ar represents a C6to C10 aromatic group as defined for R10 hereinabove.
According to any one of the above mentioned embodiments, said PP ligand further
comprise as coordinating atom at least one triaryl-phosphino group (i.e. PAr^, wherein Ar
means an aromatic group), an alkyl-diaryl-phoshino group (i.e. P(alk)Ar2, wherein Ar
means an aromatic group and Alk means a non aromatic group) or an dialkyl-aryl-
phoshino group (i.e. P(alk)2Ar, wherein Ar means an aromatic group and Alk means a non
aromatic group). According to a further development of said embodiment the two
coordinating phosphino group of the PP ligand are triaryl-phosphine groups.

According to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments, the NN bidentate
ligand is a racemic or an optically active compound comprising at least one substituted
α-carbon. Said NN ligand can be of formula

wherein the dotted line indicates a single or double bond, provided that only one dotted
line per nitrogen atom may indicate a double bond;
b represents 0, 1 or 2;
R21 represents a hydrogen atom or a R21 R22CH group, or, if the dotted line indicates a
single bond may also represent a R21 R22C= group;
c is 0 or 1 when the carbon-nitrogen bond with the dotted line represents a single or
double bond respectively; and
R21, R22, R23 R24, and R25 represent, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen atom, a
linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C10 alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted, a C6-C10
aromatic group optionally substituted; R21 and R24, taken together, may form a saturated
or unsaturated heterocycle, optionally substituted and optionally containing one or two
additional nitrogen or oxygen atoms, containing 5 to 10 atoms and including the carbon
atoms and the N atom to which said R21 or R24 are bonded (such as a pyridine ring or a
2-pyrrolidine, a 2-piperidine or a 2-morpholine); R23 and R24, or R24 and R25 when taken
together, form a saturated or unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5 to 12 atoms
and including the carbon atom to which said R23 R24 or R25 groups are bonded; with the
proviso that at least one of said R23 or R24 groups are not a hydrogen atom;
provided that at least one R24 or R24 is not a hydrogen atom, and provided that at least one
coordinating amino group is a primary amine (i.e. a NH2 group or at least one R21 is a
hydrogen atom).
According to an embodiment, by "aromatic group or ring" it is meant a phenyl or
naphthyl derivative.

Possible substituents of R21, R21 to R25 are one or two halogen, C1 to C10 alkoxy or
polyalkyleneglycols groups, halo- or perhalo-hydrocarbon, COORe, NRe2, quaternary
amine or Re groups, wherein Re is a C1 to C6alkyl, or a C5 to C12 cycloalkyl, aralkyl (such
as benzyl, phenethyl etc..) or aromatic group, the latter being also optionally substituted by
one, two or three halogen, sulfonates groups or C1-C8 alkyl, alkoxy, amino, nitro,
sulfonates, halo- or perhalo-hydrocarbon or ester groups. By "halo- or perhalo-
hydrocarbon" it is meant groups such as CF3or CC1H2 for instance.
According to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments, R21, R22, R23, R24,
and R5 represent, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen atom, a linear, branched or
cyclic C1 to C5 alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted, a phenyl group optionally
substituted; R21 and R24, taken together, may form a saturated or unsaturated heterocycle,
optionally substituted and optionally containing one or two additional nitrogen or oxygen
atoms, containing 5 or 6 atoms and including the carbon atoms and the N atom to which
said R21 or R24 are bonded; R23 and R24, or R24 and R25 when taken together, form a
saturated or unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5 or 6 atoms and including the
carbon atom to which said R23 R24 or R25 groups are bonded; with the proviso that at least
one of said R23 or R24 groups are not a hydrogen atom.
Alternatively, possible substituents of R21 to R25, in particular when said groups
are or contain phenyl groups or moieties, are one or two halogen, CF3groups or C1 to C5
alkoxy or polyalkyleneglycols groups, COORe, NRe2 or Re groups, wherein Re is a C1 to C4
alkyl, or a C5-6 cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aromatic group, the latter being also optionally
substituted as above defined.
According to a further embodiment of the formula (9), the dotted lines represent a
single bond.
According to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments or combination
thereof, a particular embodiment of formula (9) is represented by formula

wherein d represents 0 or 1; and
R26 or R26 represents each a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C6alkyl
group or a phenyl group optionally substituted; two R26, or one R26 and one adjacent R27,
taken together, may form a C3-C5 alkanediyl or alkenediyl;
provided that at least one R26 or is not a hydrogen atom.
Possible substituents of R27 or R26 are one or two halogen, C1 to C5 alkoxy or
polyalkyleneglycols groups, COORe, NRe2 or Re groups wherein Re is a C1 to C4 alkyl, or a
C5-6 cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aromatic group, the latter being also optionally substituted as
defined above.
According to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments or combination
thereof, a particular embodiment of formula (12), the NN ligand can be one of the
formulae

wherein R29 represents a C1-C6alkyl group or a phenyl group optionally substituted, as
above defined for R28, and R30 represents a hydrogen atom or a R29 group.
According to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments, the two coordinating
amino group of the NN hgand are primary amino groups (i.e. NH2) or in other words in
formula (9) both dotted lines represent a single bond and both R21 represent each a
hydrogen atom.
Yet, according to a further embodiment, the two coordinating amino groups of the
NN ligand are primary amino groups and the two α-carbons are substituted (e.g. in
formula (9) the two R24 or the two R23 are not hydrogen atoms).

According to any one of the embodiments of the invention, at least one of the
ligands is in an optically active form. According to a further embodiment the NN ligand is
in an optically active form. According to another embodiment, both PP and NN ligands
can be in an optically form.
In the present invention, by "optically active form" it is meant here a pure
enantiomer or a mixture of enantiomer enriched in a particular enantiomer, in other terms a
substrate, complex or ligand in an optically active form is characterised by a e.e.
(enantiomeric excess) above 0, typically comprised between 10 and 100% or even between
50 and 100% or between 90 and 99.9%.
The ligands described above can be obtained by applying standard general methods
which are well known in the state of the art and by the person skilled in the art. Many of
said ligands NN or PP are even commercially available.
In a general way, the complexes of formula (1) can be prepared and isolated prior
to their use in the process according to the general methods described in the literature (for
example see H . Doucet et al, Angew.Chem.Int.Ed., 1998, 37, 1703.
It is also understood that the complex of formula (I) can also be obtained in situ
from complexes which have a similar formula or are cationic or anionic, for example a
complex (1) wherein Y has another meaning. Alternatively can be used a complex of
formula [Ru(PP)(Anion)2], which in the presence of a NN ligand are converted into a
compound of formula (1). It is also possible to use a complex of formula
[Ru(NN)(Anion)2] or [Ru(NN)(Anion)(Arene)](Anion), which in the presence of ligand
PP are converted into a compound of formula (1).
To carry out the processes of the invention it is required also to use a base. Said
base can be the substrate itself, if the latter is basic, a corresponding alcoholate or any base
having preferentially a pKa above 11. According to a particular embodiment of the
invention said base may have a pKa above 14. It is also understood that preferably said
base does not reduce itself a substrate of formula (I). As non-limiting examples one may
cite the following type of base: alcoholate, hydroxides, alkaline or alkaline-earth
carbonates, phosphazenes, amides, basic alox, siliconates (i.e. silicium derivatives having
SiO" or SiRO" groups), hydrides such as NaBH4, NaH or KH.
One can cite, as non-limiting examples, alkaline or alkaline-earth metal carbonates,
such as cesium carbonate, an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal hydroxides, C1-10 amidures,

C10-26 phosphazene or an alcoholate of formula (R31O)2M or R31OM', wherein M is an
alkaline-earth metal, M' is an alkaline metal or an ammonium NR324, R31 stands for
hydrogen or a C1 to C6linear or branched alkyl radical and R32 stands for a C1 to C10 linear
or branched alkyl radical, such as sodium or potassium alcoholates. Of course, other
suitable bases can be used.
According to an embodiment of the invention, said base is an alkaline alcoholate of
formula R31OM'.
As previously mentioned, the processes of the invention consist in the
hydrogenation of a substrate using a ruthenium complex and a base. A typical process
implies the mixture of the substrate with the ruthenium complex, a base and optionally a
solvent, and then treating such a mixture with molecular hydrogen at a chosen pressure
and temperature.
The complexes of the invention, an essential parameter of the process, can be
added to the reaction medium in a large range of concentrations. As non-limiting
examples, one can cite as complex concentration values those ranging from 50 ppm to
50000 ppm, relative to the amount of substrate. Preferably, the complex concentration will
be comprised between 100 and 20000 ppm. It goes without saying that the optimum
concentration of complex will depend, as the person skilled in the art knows, on the nature
of the latter, on the nature of the substrate and on the pressure of H2 used during the
process, as well as the desired time of reaction.
Useful quantities of base, added to the reaction mixture, may be comprised in a
relatively large range. One can cite, as non-limiting examples, ranges between 5 to
50000 molar equivalents, relative to the complex (e.g. base/com = 5 to 5000O), preferably
20 to 2000, and even more preferably between 50 and 1000 molar equivalents.
The hydrogenation reaction can be carried out in the presence or absence of a
solvent. When a solvent is required or used for practical reasons, then any solvent current
in hydrogenation reactions can be used for the purposes of the invention. Non-limiting
examples include aromatic solvents such as toluene or xylene, hydrocarbon solvents such
as hexane or cyclohexane, ethers such as tetrahydrofuran or MTBE, polar solvents such as
primary or secondary alcohols such as isopropanol or ethanol, or mixtures thereof The
choice of the solvent is a function of the nature of the complex and the person skilled in the

art is well able to select the solvent most convenient in each case to optimize the
hydrogenation reaction.
In the hydrogenation process of the invention, the reaction can be carried out at a
H2 pressure comprised between 105 Pa and 80x105 Pa (1 to 80 bars) or even more if
desired. Again, a person skilled in the art is well able to adjust the pressure as a function of
the catalyst load and of the dilution of the substrate in the solvent. As examples, one can
cite typical pressures of 1 to 50x105 Pa (1 to 50 bar).
The temperature at which the hydrogenation can be carried out is comprised
between 0°C and 120°C, more preferably in the range of between 20°C and 100°C. Of
course, a person skilled in the art is also able to select the preferred temperature as a
function of the melting and boiling point of the starting and final products as well as the
desired time of reaction or conversion.
Examples
The invention will now be described in further detail by way of the following
examples, wherein the temperatures are indicated in degrees centigrade and the
abbreviations have the usual meaning in the art.
All the procedures described hereafter have been carried out under an inert
atmosphere unless stated otherwise. Hydrogenations were carried out in stainless steel
autoclave. H2 gas (99.99990%) was used as received. All substrates and solvents were
distilled from appropriate drying agents under Ar. NMR spectra were recorded on a
Bruker AM-400 (1H at 400.1MHz, 13C at 100.6 MHz, and 31P at 161.9 MHz)
spectrometer and normally measured at 300 K, in CDCl3 unless indicated otherwise.
Chemical shifts are listed in ppm.

Example 1
Catalytic hvdrogenation of esters using in-situ formed complex [RuCl2(R-BINAP)(S DPEN)]
General procedure for the catalytic hydrogenation of methyl benzoate as substrate:
Under argon, a Keim autoclave was charged with a ruthenium R-BINAP complex
precursor (O.01 mmol, 0.05 mol%) and S,S-DPEN (O.01 mmol, 0.05 mol%) followed by
THF (2 ml) and the solution stirred for 5 minutes Then a solution of methyl benzoate
(20 mmol) in THF (2 ml), followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), and a solution of tridecane (1
mmol) in THF (2 ml), as internal standard, followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), were
successively added to the autoclave. Finally, solid NaOMe (1 mmol, 5 mol%) was added
and the autoclave was pressurised with hydrogen gas at 50 bars and placed in a
thermostatted oil bath set at 100°C. After 1 hour, the autoclave was removed from the oil
bath, and cooled in a cold-water bath. Then, an aliquot (O.4 ml) was taken, diluted with
MTBE (5 ml), washed with aq. sat. NH4Cl (5 ml), and filtered over a plug of celite and
analyzed by GC,

Com/Base: molar ratio in ppm relative to the substrate of complex and base.
GC yield versus internal standard (in %, analysed by GC) of benzyl alcohol after 1 hour.
Reaction conditions: H2 gas (50 bars), 100°C, 1 h, NaOMe as base and THF (2 M).
Catalyst generated in-situ by pre-heating a solution of [Ru(TFA)2(cod)] and R-BINAP
in MTBE/THF (10/1) at 100°C for 1 h and the solution used as is for the reaction.

Example 2
Catalytic hvdrogenation of esters using in-situ formed complex [RuCl2(R-BINAP)(S,S-
DPEN)] at various temperatures
General procedure for the catalytic hydrogenation of methyl benzoate as substrate:
Under argon, a Keim autoclave was charged with [RuCl2(R-BINAP)(dmf)2] (0.01 mmol,
0.05 mol%) and S,S-DPEN (O.01 mmol, 0.05 mol%) followed by THF (2 ml) and the
solution stirred for 5 minutes. Then a solution of methyl benzoate (20 mmol) in THF
(2 ml), followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), and a solution of tridecane (1 mmol) in THF
(2 ml), as internal standard, followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), were successively added to
the autoclave. Finally, solid NaOMe (1 mmol, 5 mol%) was added and the autoclave was
pressurised with hydrogen gas at 50 bars and placed in a thermostatted oil bath set at the
desired temperature. After the mentioned time, the autoclave was removed from the oil
bath, and cooled in a cold-water bath. Then, an aliquot (O.4 ml) was taken, diluted with
MTBE (5 ml), washed with aq. sat. NH4CI (5 ml), and filtered over a plug of celite and
analyzed by GC.

Com/Base: molar ratio in ppm relative to the substrate of complex and base.
GC yield versus internal standard (in %, analysed by GC) of benzyl alcohol. Reaction
conditions: H2 gas (50 bars), NaOMe as base and THF (2 M).
Catalyst generated in-situ by pre-heating a solution of [RuCl(R-BINAP)(pCym)]Cl with
S,S-DPEN in THF at 140°C for 1 h and the solution used as is for the reaction.

Catalyst generated in-situ by pre-heating a solution of [RuCl(5,5-DPEN)(pCym)]Cl
with R-BrNAP in THF at 140°C for 1 h and the solution used as is for the reaction.
Example 3
Catalytic hydrogenation of esters using complex [RuCl2(PP)(S,S-DPEN)]
General procedure for the catalytic hydrogenation of methyl benzoate as substrate:
Under argon, a Keirn autoclave was charged with [RuCl2(PP)(dmf)2] (O.01 mmol,
0.05 mol%) and S,S-DPEN (O.01 mmol, 0.05 moI%) followed by THF (2 ml) and the
solution stirred for 5 minutes. Then a solution of methyl benzoate (20 mmol) in THF
(2 ml), followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), and a solution of tridecane (1 mmol) in THF
(2 ml), as intemal standard, followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), were successively added to
the autoclave. Finally, solid NaOMe (1 mmol, 5 mol%) was added and the autoclave was
pressurised with hydrogen gas at 50 bars and placed in a thermostatted oil bath set at
60°C. After 2 h, the autoclave was removed from the oil bath, and cooled in a cold-water
bath. Then, an aliquot (O.4 ml) was taken, diluted with MTBE (5 ml), washed with aq. sat.
NH4Cl (5 ml), and fihered over a plug of celite and analyzed by GC.

Com/Base: molar ratio in ppm relative to the substrate of complex and base.
GC yield versus internal standard (in %, analysed by GC) of benzyl alcohol. Reaction
conditions: H2 gas (50 bars), 60°C, 2 h, NaOMe as base and THF (2 M).
' Catalyst generated in-situ by pre-heating a solution of [Ru(TFA)2(cod)] and the
diphosphine in MTBE/THF (10/1) at 100°C for 1 h and the solution used as is for the
reaction.
2) The preformed complex was used here.
3) Catalyst generated in-situ by pre-heating a solution of [RuCl2(pCym)]2 with the
diphosphine in EtOH/CH2Cl2 (4/1) at 50°C for 30 minutes. Followed by solvent
evaporation, and heating the residue with S,S-DPEN in THF at 140°C for 1 h and the
solution used as is for the reaction.

Example 4
Catalytic hydrogenation of esters using complex [RuCl2(R-BINAP)(NN)]
General procedure for the catalytic hydrogenation of methyl benzoate as substrate:
Under argon, a Keim autoclave was charged with [RuCl2(i?-BES[AP)(dmf)2] (0.01 mmol,
0.05 mol%) and the diamine (O.01 mmol, 0.05 mol%) followed by THF (2 ml) and the
solution stirred for 5 minutes. Then a solution of methyl benzoate (20 mmol) in THF
(2 ml), followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), and a solution of tridecane (1 mmol) in THF
(2 ml), as internal standard, followed by more THF (2x1 ml), were successively added to
the autoclave. Finally, solid NaOMe (1 mmol, 5 mol%) was added and the autoclave was
pressurised with hydrogen gas at 50 bars and placed in a thermostatted oil bath set at the
desired temperature. After the mentioned time, the autoclave was removed from the oil
bath, and cooled in a cold-water bath. Then, an aliquot (O.4 ml) was taken, diluted with
MTBE (5 ml), washed with aq. sat. NH4Cl (5 ml), and filtered over a plug of celite and
analyzed by GC.

Com/Base: molar ratio in ppm relative to the substrate of complex and base.
GC yield versus internal standard (in %, analysed by GC) of benzyl alcohol. Reaction
conditions: H2 gas (50 bars), NaOMe as base and THF (2 M).
* included only as comparative matter

Example 5
Catalytic hydrogenation of various esters using complex [RuCl2(R-BINAP)(S,S-DPEN)]
General procedure for the catalytic hydrogenation of methyl benzoate as substrate:
Under argon, a Keim autoclave was charged with [RuCl2(R-BINAP)(dmf)2] (0.01 mmol,
0.05 mol%) and 5,5'-DPEN (0.01 mmol, 0.05 mol%) followed by THF (2 ml) and the
solution stirred for 5 minutes. Then a solution of the desired ester (20 mmol) in THF
(2 ml), followed by more THF (2 x 1 ml), and a solution of tridecane (1 mmol) in THF
(2 ml), as internal standard, followed by more THF (2x1 ml), were successively added to
the autoclave. Finally, solid NaOMe (1 mmol, 5 mol%) was added and the autoclave was
pressurised with hydrogen gas at 50 bars and placed in a thermostatted oil bath set at
60°C. After the mentioned time, the autoclave was removed from the oil bath, and cooled
in a cold-water bath. Then, an aliquot (O.4 ml) was taken, diluted with MTBE (5 ml),
washed with aq. sat. NH4Cl (5 ml), and filtered over a plug of celite and analyzed by GC.
Table 5 : Hydrogenation of various esters using complex [RuCl2(R-BINAP)(S,S-DPEN)]

Com/Base: molar ratio in ppm relative to the substrate of complex and base.
GC: percent of product analysed by GC in the crude reaction mixture. Reaction
conditions: H2 gas (50 bars), 60°C, NaOMe as base and THF (2 M).

Claims
1. A process for the reduction by hydrogenation, using molecular H2, of a C3-C70
substrate containing one, two or three esters, or lactones, functional groups into the
corresponding alcohol, or diol, characterized in that said process is carried out in the
presence of a base and at least one catalyst or pre-catalyst of the general formula

wherein n represent 0, 1 or 2;
S represents a neutral C1-C26 neutral monodentate ligand;
PP represents a C6-C60 bidentate ligand wherein the coordinating groups are two
phosphino groups;
NN represents a C3-C40 bidentate ligand wherein the coordinating groups are two amino
groups, at least one of said amino groups is a primary amine, and wherein at least one of
the carbon atoms to which one of said amino group is bound (the α-carbon) is not a CH3-
or -CH2- group; and
each Y represents, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen or halogen atom, a BR, or
AlH4 group, a hydroxyl group, or a C1-C6alkoxy or carboxylic radical.
2. A process according to claim 1, characterised in that the catalyst or pre-
catalyst of the general formula

wherein PP, NN and Y are as defined in claim 1.
3. A process according to claim 1, characterised in that the bidentate PP ligand is
an optically active compound of formula

wherein
R1 and R2, when taken separately, represent, simultaneously or independently, a linear,
branched or cyclic C1 to C8 alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted, a Ce to C10
aromatic group optionally substituted, or an OR3 or NR3R4 group, R3 and R4 being a C1 to
C8 alkyl or alkenyl group; the groups R1 and R2, bonded to the same P atom, when taken
together, may form a saturated or unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5 to 10
atoms and including the phosphorus atom to which said R2 and R1 groups are bonded ; and
Q represents:
- a group of formula
wherein m is an integer from 1 to 5, and
R5 and R6 represent, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen atom, a linear,
branched or cyclic C1 to C10 alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted, a C6-C10
aromatic group optionally substituted, or an OR7 or NR7R8 group, R7 and R8 being a
linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C10 alkyl or alkenyl group; two distinct R6 and/or R5
groups, taken together, may form a C5 to C8, or even up to C10, saturated ring
optionally substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R6 or R5
group is bonded; or
- a group of formula

wherein m is an integer from 2 to 4, and
two distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a C5 to C8, or even up to C10,
aromatic ring optionally substituted or a C5-C12 metallocenediyl optionally
substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R9 group are bonded;
or
three distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a naphthalene ring optionally
substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R9 groups are bonded.
4. A process according to claim 3, characterised in that the ligand is of formula
(3) wherein
R1 and R2 represent, simultaneously or independently, a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C6
alkyl group optionally substituted, a phenyl or naphthyl group optionally substituted; the
groups R1 and R2, bonded to the same P atom, taken together, form a saturated or
unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5, 6 or 7 atoms and including the
phosphorus atom to which said R1 and R2 groups are bonded ; and
Q represents:
- a group of formula
wherein m is an integer from 1 to 3, and
two distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a C5 to C10 aromatic ring
optionally substituted or a C5-C12 ferrocenediyl optionally substituted, including the
carbon atoms to which each of said R9 group are bonded; or
three distinct adjacent R9 groups, taken together, form a naphthalene ring optionally
substituted, including the carbon atoms to which each of said R9 group are bonded.
5. A process according to claim 3, characterised in that the ligand of formula (3)
comprise one of the moieties:
- a metallocene-1,1 -diphosphine of formula

wherein each Ar represents a C6to C10 aromatic group optionally substituted by one or
two halogens, CF3groups or C1 to C5 alkoxy or polyalkyleneglycols groups, COORd ,
NRd2 or Rd groups, wherein Rd is a C1 to C4 alkyl, or a C5-6 cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aromatic
group.

6. A process according to claim 1, characterised in that the hgand NN is of
formula
wherein the dotted line indicates a single or double bond, provided that only one dotted
line per nitrogen atom may indicate a double bond;
b represents 0, 1 or 2;
R21 represents a hydrogen atom or a R21 R22CH group, or, if the dotted line indicates a
single bond may also represent a R21 R22C= group;
c is 0 or 1 when the carbon-nitrogen bond with the dotted line represents a single or
double bond respectively; and
R21 , R22, R23, R24, and R25 represent, simultaneously or independently, a hydrogen atom, a
linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C10 alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted, a C6-C10
aromatic group optionally substituted; R21 and R25, taken together, may form a saturated
or unsaturated heterocycle, optionally substituted and optionally containing one or two
additional nitrogen or oxygen atoms, containing 5 to 10 atoms and including the carbon
atoms and the N atom to which said R21 or R24 are bonded; R24 and R24, or R24 and R25
when taken together, form a saturated or unsaturated ring optionally substituted, having 5
to 12 atoms and including the carbon atom to which said R23 R24 or R25 groups are
bonded; with the proviso that at least one of said R23 or R24 groups are not a hydrogen
atom;
provided that at least one R24 or R22 is not a hydrogen atom, and provided that at least one
coordinating amino group is a primary amine.
7. A process according to claim 6, characterised in that the ligand NN is of
formula

wherein d represents 0 or 1; and
R26 or R27 represents each a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C6alkyl
group or a phenyl group optionally substituted; two R26, or one R26 and one adjacent R27
taken together, may form a C3-C5 alkanediyl or alkenediyl;
provided that at least one R26 or is not a hydrogen atom.
8. A process according to claims 6, characterised in that NN ligand is a
compound of one of the formulae

wherein R29 represents a C1-C6alkyl group or a phenyl group optionally substituted, as
defined above for R28, and R30 represents a hydrogen atom or a R29 group.
9. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that any one
or the two of the Ugands PP or NN is in an optically active form.
10. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the base
is selected in the group consisting of an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal carbonate, an
alkaline or alkaline-earth metal hydroxide, a C1-10 amidure, a C10-26 phosphazene, and an
alcoholate of formula (R31O)2M or R31OM', wherein M is an alkaline-earth metal, M' is an
alkaline metal or an ammonium NR324+, R31 stands for hydrogen or a C1 to C6linear or
branched alkyl radical and R32 stands for a C1 to C10 linear or branched alkyl radical.

The present invention relates to processes for the reduction by hydrogenation, using molecular H2, of a substrate containing one or two esters, or lactones, functional groups into the corresponding alcohol, or diol, said process is carried out in the presence of a base and at least one catalyst or pre-catalyst in the form of a ruthenium complex wherein the ruthenium is coordinated by a diphosphine bidentate ligand (PP ligand) and a diamino bidenfate ligand (NN ligand) comprising at least one substituted α-carbon and one primary amine as one of the coordinating atoms.

Documents:

1588-kolnp-2009-abstract.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-ANEXURE TO FORM 3.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-ASSIGNMENT.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-CANCELLED PAGES.pdf

1588-kolnp-2009-claims.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-CORRESPONDENCE-1.1.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-CORRESPONDENCE-1.2.pdf

1588-kolnp-2009-correspondence.pdf

1588-kolnp-2009-description (complete).pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

1588-kolnp-2009-form 1.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-FORM 18-1.1.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-FORM 18.pdf

1588-kolnp-2009-form 3.pdf

1588-kolnp-2009-form 5.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-GPA-1.1.pdf

1588-kolnp-2009-gpa.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-GRANTED-ABSTRACT.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-GRANTED-CLAIMS.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-GRANTED-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-GRANTED-FORM 1.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-GRANTED-FORM 2.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-GRANTED-FORM 3.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-GRANTED-FORM 5.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-GRANTED-LETTER PATENT.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-GRANTED-SPECIFICATION-COMPLETE.pdf

1588-kolnp-2009-international publication.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT & OTHERS.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-OTHERS.pdf

1588-kolnp-2009-pct priority document notification.pdf

1588-kolnp-2009-pct request form.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

1588-kolnp-2009-specification.pdf

1588-KOLNP-2009-TRANSLATED COPY OF PRIORITY DOCUMENT.pdf

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Patent Number

262875

Indian Patent Application Number

1588/KOLNP/2009

PG Journal Number

39/2014

Publication Date

26-Sep-2014

Grant Date

22-Sep-2014

Date of Filing

28-Apr-2009

Name of Patentee

FIRMENICH SA

Applicant Address

1, ROUTE DES JEUNES, P.O. BOX 239, CH-1211 GENEVA 8

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	SAUDAN CHRISTOPHE (DECEASED)	56, QUAI GUSTAV ADOR, CH-1207 GENEVA
2	SAUDAN, LIONEL	36, RUE PREVOST-MARTIN, CH-1205 GENEVA

PCT International Classification Number

C07C 29/149

PCT International Application Number

PCT/IB/2007/054746

PCT International Filing date

2007-11-22

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	PCT/IB2006/054449	2006-11-27	IB