Ruthenium complexes bearing small bite angle PN ligands are effective catalysts for the upgrading of ethanol/methanol to isobutanol via the Guerbet reaction

Bates, Samuel, Wingad, Richard L., Kariuki, Benson M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8658-3897 and Wass, Duncan F. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0356-7067 2026. Ruthenium complexes bearing small bite angle PN ligands are effective catalysts for the upgrading of ethanol/methanol to isobutanol via the Guerbet reaction. Dalton Transactions 55 (34) , pp. 12476-12483. 10.1039/d6dt01350c

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Abstract

Three mixed PN-donor ligand structures based on 2-(diphenylphosphino)-3-methylindole (1H), and diphenylphosphinopyridines (2 and 3) have been used to design simple and stable ruthenium catalysts for the Guerbet reaction (4–7). Two of these complexes (6, 7) have been structurally characterised, showing the hemilability of these PN-donor ligands, depending on the other ligands coordinated to ruthenium. These complexes are effective Guerbet catalysts for the upgrading of ethanol/methanol mixtures to isobutanol, a potential sustainable drop-in fuel replacement, reaching isobutanol yields of up to 62%. Previously unidentified precipitated side products, e.g. sodium alkyl carbonates, have been discovered to be present in post reaction mixtures. Analysis of ruthenium phosphinopyridine complexes under simulated catalytic environments provided further detail into catalytic degradation species and potential active catalyst structures.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Chemistry Schools > Physical, Chemical & Environmental Sciences Research Institutes & Centres > Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI)
Publisher:	Royal Society of Chemistry
ISSN:	1477-9226
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	14 September 2026
Date of Acceptance:	16 July 2026
Last Modified:	14 Sep 2026 13:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/189562

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