A Ru-Based Complex for Sustainable One-Pot Tandem Aerobic Oxidation-Knoevenagel Condensation Reactions

Our novel binuclear complex-anchored Ru(III) catalyst, designed and assembled by sonicating 2,2′-(4,6-dihydroxy-1,3-phenylene)bis(1H-benzo[d]imidazole-4-carboxylic acid), Ru(DMSO)4Cl2 and 4-methylpyridine, demonstrates remarkable efficiency and selectivity. It promotes one-pot reactions, including active methylenes and benzyl alcohols in water, via a tandem aerobic oxidation/Knoevenagel condensation process, yielding benzylidene malononitrile in excellent yields. The catalyst’s ability to oxidize benzyl alcohols to aldehydes, which then undergo Knoevenagel condensation with active methylenes, makes it a multifunctional catalyst. Notably, the catalyst can be successfully retrieved and recycled for five successive rounds with no significant decrease in catalytic efficiency. The ICP study showed that no catalyst leaching was observed, indicating that the designed catalyst is indeed heterogeneous. The Ru catalyst outperformed other documented catalysts in terms of lower dose, shorter duration, decreased working temperature, and the absence of dangerous additives. This demonstrates the catalyst’s robustness and sustainability, making it a promising candidate for future organic conversions and industrial uses.