Abstract A series of in situ-generated ruthenium hydride complexes Ru (PPh 3) 2 (CO) H (L n)(n= a–h) incorporating a Schiff base ligand was investigated for the isomerization of olefins. 1 H-NMR was used to characterize the new hydride species in combination with 31 P-NMR. Allylbenzene and 1-octene were used as model substrates. Temperature, solvents and catalyst/substrate mole ratio were taken into account as parameters to optimize the ...