Nonionic water soluble complex Ru 3(CO) 9(PETPP) 3 with the function of thermoregulated phase transfer catalysis was prepared. The catalytic activity and the recycle effect of Ru 3(CO) 9(PETPP) 3 for hydrogenation of styrene in aqueous/organic biphase catalysis system were studied. In addition, effects of reaction temperature, hydrogen pressure and reaction time were also investigated. The results showed that the reaction takes place mainly in organic phase at higher temperature (80 ℃). Under the conditions of θ =80 ℃, p (H 2)=2 MPa and t =3 h, both the PhCH∶CH 2 conversion and PhC 2H 5 selectivity are 100%. The PhCH∶CH 2 conversion is still 98 2% after reuse of the catalyst for 20 times. The catalytic performance of Ru 3(CO) 9(TPPTS) 3, Ru 3(CO) 9(PETPP) 3, Ru 3(CO) 9(TPPMS) 3 and Ru 3(CO) 9(TPP) 3 for biphase hydrogenation of styrene was compared. The experimental results for Ru 3(CO) 9(PETPP) 3 verified that there is a thermoregulated phase transfer catalysis process in the reaction system.
