Oxidative addition of dimethylphosphite to iridium(I) and rhodium(I) complexes: Stereoselective reduction of 4-t-butylcyclohexanone

Dimethylphosphite, (CH₃O)₂P(O)H, adds oxidatively to iridium(I) and rhodium(I) complexes to give hydrido-iridium(III) or -rhodium(III) dimethylphosphonate complexes. A complex Ir(H)Cl[P(O)(OCH₃)₂][P(OH)(OCH₃)₂]₃ obtained from [IrCl(C₈H₁₄)₂]₂ and dimethylphosphite catalyses the stereo-selective reduction of 4-t-butylcyclohexanone to $\text{97}\text{3}$cis/trans-4-t-butylcyclohexanol, the ratio being identical with that obtained using the Henbest catalyst iridium(IV) chloride, phosphorous acid or one of its esters, and aqueous isopropanol.