Phosphine-free cobalt catalyst precursors for the selective hydrogenation of olefins

Cobalt(II) complexes bearing phosphine-free tridentate NNS ligands were prepared. Depending on the ligand, dimeric or monomeric complexes were isolated. Monomeric Co(NNMeS)Cl2 selectively catalysed the hydrogenation of olefins in the presence of reducible moieties such as ketones. Further investigation showed that this complex functions as a nanoparticle precursor under the reaction conditions.