Precursor for the preparation of other compounds of ruthenium. Ruthenium(III) 2,4-pentanedionate is employed as a recyclable catalyst for certain organic transformations like the acetylation of phenols, alcohols, and amines under neat conditions. It is also used as a homogeneous catalyst, for example, in the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride and regiospecific tritiation of aromatic carboxylic acids. It is also used as a catalyst for enantioselective hydrogenation of acids such as aryl acrylic acid and aryl propenic acid.

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