A detailed study of the hydrogenation of nitrile-butadiene rubber and other substrates catalyzed by Ru(II) complexes

• Published in: Journal of molecular catalysis. A, Chemical Vol. 126; no. 2; pp. 115 - 131
• Main Authors: Martin, P., McManus, N.T., Rempel, G.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 10-12-1997; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical modifications; Chemical reactions and properties; Exact sciences and technology; Gas uptake; Hydrogenation; Kinetics; Mechanism; Nitrile-butadiene rubber; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymers; Ruthenium complexes; Nitrile-butadiene rubber; Ruthenium complexes; Gas uptake; Kinetics; Polymers; Hydrogenation; Mechanism; Chemical modification; Catalytic reaction; Reaction mechanism; Measurement method; Nitrile rubber; Experimental study; Catalyst activity; Ruthenium complex
• ISSN: 1381-1169; 1873-314X
• DOI: 10.1016/S1381-1169(97)00102-7

Development of a computer controlled apparatus for measurement of gas uptake at elevated temperatures and pressures has made possible a study of the kinetics of NBR hydrogenation at conditions approaching those that are used in commercial operations. Complexes of the form Ru(X)Cl(CO)L
2 where X = H or β-styryl (CH  CH(Ph)) and L is a bulky phosphine such as tricyclohexyl- or triisopropyl-phosphine are excellent catalysts for the hydrogenation of CC in a variety of polymers and are superior to other Ru complexes for the hydrogenation of CC in nitrile-butadiene rubber. This report describes comparative studies using these complexes for the hydrogenation of CC in various polymer and small molecule substrates. Also presented are complete details of an in depth mechanistic study into the hydrogenation of NBR catalyzed by the complex Ru(CHCH(Ph))Cl(CO)(PCy
3)
2.