Molecularly Defined Manganese Pincer Complexes for Selective Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones

Abstract For the first time an easily accessible and well‐defined manganese N , N , N ‐pincer complex catalyzes the transfer hydrogenation of a broad range of ketones with good to excellent yields. This cheap earth abundant‐metal based catalyst provides access to useful secondary alcohols without the need of hydrogen gas. Preliminary investigations to explore the mechanism of this transformation are also reported.