Catalytic activity of RuCl2(DMSO)(4) in biphasic and homogeneous systems

Water soluble RuCl2(DMSO)(4) is an active catalyst precursor for 1-hexene h ydrogenation in water/organic solvent biphasic systems, reaching 98% total conversion (400 psi H-2, 80(degrees)C, 6 h), with n-hexane as the principal product and less of the 2-hexene isomers, favoring cis-2-hexene. It is ver y sensitive to O-2 dissolved in water, and decomposes when halide salts or alcohols are added. The Ru complex is also active in an alcohol homogeneous phase, but less than in the biphasic system, gives a greater isomer propor tion, favoring cis-2-hexene and increases with potassium halide salt additi ves.