The catalytic hydrogen transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone using C-2-symmetric diamine/diphosphine ruthenium(II) complex has been studied. Complex RuCl2(P2N2H4) shows an excellent catalytic activity in hydrogen transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone ina molar ratio-of substrate/Ru/iso-PrOK 200:1:12, leading to 2-phenylethanol in 99% yield after 2 h, A hydrogen transfer mechanism is also discussed
