Cyclohexene hydrocarbomethoxylation catalysed by ruthenium compounds

This paper presents a catalytic activity of ruthenium (III) compounds in the model reaction of cyclohexene hydrocarbomethoxylation. The objective of the work was contained in the determination of the most active ruthenium catalyst of this reaction. The kinetic method was used as the main method of investigation. The gas-liquid chromatography method was used to analyze the reaction mass. Accordingly, to approbation of ruthenium (III) acetylacetonate and chloride as catalysts of cyclohexene hydrocarbomethoxylation the higher catalytic activity of ruthenium chloride was determined. With using of ruthenium (III) acetylacetonate the values of rate and ester yield passed through the weakly expressed maximums with increase of triphenylphosphine concentration. Ruthenium (III) acetylacetonate didn’t show catalytic activity in absence of phosphinic promoter. It was stated that using of ruthenium (III) acetylacetonate as a catalyst of hydrocarbomethoxylation required the assist of higher acidic promoter in great concentrations. Ruthenium (III) chloride showed the catalytic activity even in absence of phosphinic and acidic promoters. The increase of methanol concentration was determined being a factor of enhanced ester yield and accelerated rate of cyclohexene hydrocarbomethoxylation catalyzed by ruthenium (III) chloride in the all investigated diapason of methanol concentrations. The obtained results are the base for a further formation of the processes ruthenium-catalyzed cyclohexene hydrocarbomethoxylation characterized by high rates and product yield in mild conditions.