The invention relates to monocarbonyl complexes of ruthenium and osmium with bi- and tridentate nitrogen and phosphine ligands. The invention relates to methods for preparing these complexes and the use of these complexes, isolated or prepared in situ, as catalysts for reduction reactions of ketones and aldehydes both via transfer hydrogenation or hydrogenation with hydrogen.

The invention relates to monocarbonyl complexes of ruthenium and osmium with bi- and tridentate nitrogen and phosphine ligands. The invention relates to methods for preparing these complexes and the use of these complexes, isolated or prepared in situ, as catalysts for reduction reactions of ketones and aldehydes both via transfer hydrogenation or hydrogenation with hydrogen.

A method of preparing ortho-alkenyl and ortho-acetyl benzylic alcohols is disclosed.

A method of preparing ortho-alkenyl and ortho-acetyl benzylic alcohols is disclosed.

The present invention relates to improved processes for the preparation of ruthenium or osmium complexes comprising acetate ligands, in particular, ruthenium complexes.

The present invention relates to improved processes for the preparation of ruthenium or osmium complexes comprising acetate ligands, in particular, ruthenium complexes.

A method of producing an alcohol, comprises reducing an aldehyde or a ketone with a hydridosilatrane. The reducing is carried out with an activator.

A method of producing an alcohol, comprises reducing an aldehyde or a ketone with a hydridosilatrane. The reducing is carried out with an activator.

A process for the stereoselective preparation of a chiral alcohol or a chiral amine, the process comprising reacting a first prochiral reactant selected from the group consisting of a ketone, an aldehyde, and an imine, with a second reactant comprising a Grignard reagent, in the presence of a chiral trans-diamine of formula (1) as defined herein:

##STR00001##

Also provided is the use of the chiral trans-diamine of formula (1) in a Grignard reaction and the chiral trans-diamines per se.

A process for the stereoselective preparation of a chiral alcohol or a chiral amine, the process comprising reacting a first prochiral reactant selected from the group consisting of a ketone, an aldehyde, and an imine, with a second reactant comprising a Grignard reagent, in the presence of a chiral trans-diamine of formula (1) as defined herein:

##STR00001##

Also provided is the use of the chiral trans-diamine of formula (1) in a Grignard reaction and the chiral trans-diamines per se.