Half‐Sandwich Ruthenium Complexes With N‐Phenylpicolinamide Ligands: Preparation and Catalytic Activity in Transamidation Reaction

ABSTRACT A series of N,N‐chelate half‐sandwich ruthenium complexes based on N‐phenylpicolinamide ligands has been prepared with good yields through a facile route. These air and moisture stable N,N‐chelate half‐sandwich ruthenium complexes showed good catalytic efficiency in transamidation reactions between aromatic amines and amides under mild reaction conditions. A variety of secondary amides was obtained in high yields under open flask condition with broad substrates and good group tolerance. The excellent catalytic activity, broad substrate range, and mild reaction conditions make this catalytic system a potential candidate for industrial production. In addition, the structure of the prepared ruthenium complex has been confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction.