Synthesis,Structure, and Catalytic Activity of Cyclometalated Iridium Complexes with a Bidentate POC Ligand

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of cyclometalated iridium complexes with a bidentate POC ligand is presented. Metalation of POC-H (di-tert-butyl(phenoxy)phosphane) with Ir(COD)Cl]₂ proceeded rapidly at room temperature and afforded mixture of (POC)(POC-H)IrHCl ( 1 a ) and (POC)(COD)IrHCl ( 1 b ), from which complexes (POC)(L)IrHCl where L=PPh₃ ( 1 c ), bipyridine ( 1 d ) and 2,2′-bipyridine]-6,6′-diol ( 1 e ) were prepared through ligand exchange. The compounds were tested in acceptorless dehydrogenation of 1-phenylethanol and transfer dehydrogenation of ethanol in a context of comparison with pincer counterparts (POCOP)IrHCl and (PCN)IrHCl. An attempt to prepare a dihydride complex from 1 e led to dimeric complex (POC)(bipy-diol?)IrH]₂ ( 3 ) that could explain the low activity of 1 e . DFT studies provided insight into POC-H vs POCOP-H metalation mechanism.