Abstract
A Ru center ligated by a pincer bis(o-phosphinoaryl)amine (PNP) ligand in (PNP)RuH(H2) is
sufficiently electron rich to break C−O and C−C bonds,
resulting in the ultimate decarbonylation of hydrocarbonate and acetone, respectively, to give (PNP)RuH(CO).
The decarbonylation of acetone is accompanied by hydrogenolysis of the C−C bonds to produce methane.