CO Oxidation by N(2)O Homogeneously Catalyzed by Ruthenium Hydride Pincer Complexes Indicating a New Mechanism

[Image: see text] Both CO and N(2)O are important, environmentally harmful industrial gases. The reaction of CO and N(2)O to produce CO(2) and N(2) has stimulated much research interest aimed at degradation of these two gases in a single step. Herein, we report an efficient CO oxidation by N(2)O catalyzed by a (PNN)Ru–H pincer complex under mild conditions, even with no added base. The reaction is proposed to proceed through a sequence of O-atom transfer (OAT) from N(2)O to the Ru–H bond to form a Ru–OH intermediate, followed by intramolecular OH attack on an adjacent CO ligand, forming CO(2) and N(2). Thus, the Ru–H bond of the catalyst plays a central role in facilitating the OAT from N(2)O to CO, providing an efficient and novel protocol for CO oxidation.