Intramolecular trapping of an intermediate in the reduction of imines by a hydroxycyclopentadienyl ruthenium hydride: support for a concerted outer sphere mechanism

Intramolecular trapping of an intermediate in the reduction of an imine, 1,4-Bn[super 15]NH(c-[C.sub.6][H.sub.10])[double bond]NBn, by ruthenium hydride has supported an outer sphere mechanism for imine reduction. The reduction of other polar unsaturated substrates such as ketones and aldehydes has proceeded by similar mechanisms.