Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the reduction by hydrogenation, using molecular H2, of a substrate containing one or two esters, or lactones, functional groups into the corresponding alcohol, or diol, with the process being carried out in the presence of a base and at least one catalyst or pre-catalyst in the form of a ruthenium complex, wherein the ruthenium is coordinated by a diphosphine bidentate ligand (PP ligand) and a diamino bidentate ligand (NN ligand) that includes at least one substituted ?-carbon and one primary amine as one of the coordinating atoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of catalytic hydrogenation and, more particularly, to the use of specific ruthenium catalysts or pre-catalysts in hydrogenation processes for the reduction of ketones, aldehydes, esters or lactones into their corresponding alcohols or diols respectively. The preferred catalysts are ruthenium complexes comprising a ligand of the type (N—N) type and a ligand of the type (P—PO).

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the reduction by hydrogenation, using molecular H2, of a substrate containing one or two esters, or lactones, functional groups into the corresponding alcohol, or diol, with the process being carried out in the presence of a base and at least one catalyst or pre-catalyst in the form of a ruthenium complex, wherein the ruthenium is coordinated by a diphosphine bidentate ligand (PP ligand) and a diamino bidentate ligand (NN ligand) that includes at least one substituted ?-carbon and one primary amine as one of the coordinating atoms.