Sn,P-coordinated Ru cation: a robust catalyst for aerobic oxidations of benzylamine and benzyl alcohol.

A stable ionic Sn,P-coordinated Ru complex shows excellent catalytic activity in aerobic oxidations of benzylamine and benzyl alcohol. This complex is stabilized by a stannylene-phosphine peri-substituted naphthalene ligand, which can act as either a reducing agent for a Ru(III) complex or as a 2Sn,P-chelating ligand for Ru(II) compounds.