Racemisation of 1-Arylethylamines with Shvo-type Organoruthenium Catalysts

Variation of the electronic nature of the tetraphenyl­cyclopentadienone ligand in organoruthenium complexes influences their utility for racemisation of model chiral amines. Our study highlights the need to balance reactivity and selectivity in the design of racemisation catalysts. Electron-poor Shvo-type catalysts are, at first sight, more effective for racemisation, but yield more by-product; electron-rich complexes are less proficient at racemisation, but lead to less by-product.